Question

the difference between two numbers is 4. three times the smaller number minus four times the larger is -28. what are the numbers

Answer 1

let two numbers be x & y
x - y = 4
and 3y - 4x = -28
multiplying first equation by 3 and adding it to second eqn we get
3y - 4x + ( 3x - 3y ) = -28 + 12
- x = -16
x = 16
y = 12

Answer 2

sorry, does not line up

Answer 3

smaller s and larger l so than
l-s=4
3s-4l= -28
- so multiply first equation by 3 and assume than will get

3l-3s=12
3s-4l= -28
------------
3l+(-4l)+(-3s)+3s= -16
-l+0=-16
l=16 so than we know that l-s=4 so than 16-s=4 so than s=12
so

l=16
s=12