two numbers total -8 and their difference is 6. find the numbers.

Question

johnweldon1993 · Answer

You have a little system of equations...let 'x' = number 1 and 'y' = number 2

they TOTAL -8 so

x + y = -8

and they subtract to make 6 so

x - y = 6

Can you solve the system?

anonymous · Answer

im stuck.

johnweldon1993 · Answer

Okay well lets work through it

Our 2 equations are

x + y = -8
x - y = 6


Lets solve that second equation for 'x'

so lets add y to both sides to get

x = y + 6

Now lets go back into our first equation...and replace what we got....wherever we see an 'x'

x + y = -8

We know x = y + 6 so

y + 6 + y = -8

Combine like terms

2y = -14

What does y equal??

anonymous · Answer

-7

anonymous · Answer

-1 & -7

johnweldon1993 · Answer

That would be correct! ...now do you understand what I did there?

anonymous · Answer

i sure do :) thanks for your help!

johnweldon1993 · Answer

Awesome!...and no problem!