Math  /  Algebra

QuestionStory Problem The sum of two numbers is -22 . The difference of the two numbers is 8 . What are the two numbers?
Let Statements =7=-7 =15=-15 Rewrite the system so like terms are aligned.
Multiply, if necessary, to make elimination possible.
Determine which variable you will elliminate. yy Combine the equations and solve for the other variable.
Substitute to solve for the Write the solution. eliminated variable.

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

What is this asking? We need to find two mystery numbers that add up to -22 and have a difference of 8! Watch out! Don't mix up the sum and the difference!
Also, be careful with those negative signs; they can be sneaky.

STEP 2

1. Set up the system of equations
2. Eliminate a variable
3. Solve for the first number
4. Solve for the second number

STEP 3

Let's call our two mystery numbers xx and yy.
We know that when we add them together, we get -22.
So, we can write that as an equation: x+y=22 x + y = -22

STEP 4

We also know that the difference between the two numbers is 8.
Let's write that as another equation: xy=8 x - y = 8

STEP 5

Now, look at our two equations.
Notice how one has +y+y and the other has y-y?
Perfect! We can **add** the two equations together, and the yy terms will add to zero, effectively eliminating yy!

STEP 6

Let's do it! (x+y)+(xy)=22+8 (x + y) + (x - y) = -22 + 8 2x=14 2x = -14

STEP 7

We're so close!
We have 2x=142x = -14.
To get xx by itself, we need to divide both sides of the equation by **2**: 2x2=142 \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-14}{2} x=7 x = -7 Woohoo! We found our first mystery number: x=7x = \mathbf{-7}!

STEP 8

Now, let's use the value of xx to find yy.
We can use either of our original equations.
Let's use the first one: x+y=22x + y = -22.

STEP 9

We know x=7x = -7, so we can substitute that in: 7+y=22 -7 + y = -22

STEP 10

To get yy by itself, we need to add **7** to both sides of the equation: 7+y+7=22+7 -7 + y + 7 = -22 + 7 y=15 y = -15 Yes! Our second mystery number is y=15y = \mathbf{-15}!

STEP 11

The two numbers are 7\mathbf{-7} and 15\mathbf{-15}!

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