The sum of two numbers is 52 and the difference is 16. What are the numbers?

Question

imstuck · Answer

You have to set this up in 2 different equations, using 2 different unknowns.  The 2 numbers can be x and y.  What does "sum" mean?

mathmale · Answer

Using "x" and "y," and the sum value 52, write an equation for "the sum of two numbers."

alyssarayne03 · Answer

"The sum of two numbers is 52,"
x + y = 52
y = (52-x)

imstuck · Answer

good!

lyssburleson · Answer

so i just have to add something to 16 to get the sum which is 52?

mathmale · Answer

Not quite.  You are to come up with 2 separate equations, and then to solve these equations simultaneously to obtain values for the variables x and y.

x+y-52

Write an equation for "the difference between the two numbers is 16."

mathmale · Answer

sum:  addition                      x+y=52
difference:  subtraction:        write the equation here.

Solve this system of linear equations, preferably by addition / subtraction.