Posted by markmorse@nocharge.com (66.109.201.68) on October 08, 2003 at 20:07:13:
In Reply to: Problem solving question posted by on October 08, 2003 at 17:51:37:
We are asked to find two numbers, so let's assign variables to represent them.
x = first integer
y = second integer
Now we can write two equations from the given information. The difference between the two integers is -11:
x - y = -11
The sum is -3:
x + y = -3
To solve this system of two equations, we can solve one of the equations for x and then substitute the result for x in the second equation. Doing this will give us an equation that contains only y. Then we can solve it for y.
Let's solve the first equation for x by adding y to both sides:
x - y = -11
x - y + y = -11 + y
x = y - 11
Now that we know x equals y - 11, we make this substitution in the second equation. Then we solve for y:
x + y = -3
y - 11 + y = -3
2y - 11 = -3
2y = 8
y = 4
Since x = y - 11, we can find x by substituting 4 for y:
x = 4 - 11
x = -7
The two integers are -7 and 4. Does this check out?
Their difference is -11:
-7 - 4 = -11
Their sum is -3:
-7 + 4 = -3
It checks.
If you need more help with this problem, please explain what part(s) you don't understand.
~ Mark