The Sum of Two Numbers is 38 and Their Difference is 4

The sum of two numbers is 38 and their difference is 4. What are the two numbers? Let's start by calling the two numbers we are looking for x and y.

The sum of x and y is 38. In other words, x plus y equals 38 and can be written as equation A:

x + y = 38

The difference between x and y is 4. In other words, x minus y equals 4 and can be written as equation B:

x - y = 4

Now solve equation B for x to get the revised equation B:

x - y = 4
x = 4 + y

Then substitute x in equation A from the revised equation B and then solve for y:

x + y = 38
4 + y + y = 38
4 + 2y = 38
2y = 34
y = 17

Now we know y is 17. Which means that we can substitute y for 17 in equation A and solve for x:

x + y = 38
x + 17 = 38
X = 21

Summary: The sum of two numbers is 38 and their difference is 4. What are the two numbers? Answer: 21 and 17 as proven here:

Sum: 21 + 17 = 38
Difference: 21 - 17 = 4

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The Sum of Two Numbers is 38 and Their Difference is 5
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