What numbers have a sum that is 27 and difference is 5?

Answer 1

Let's call these two numbers x and y. Our first goal is find a way to express one of the variables in terms of another.

x+y=27

x=27-y

Now that we have a value for x that can be expressed with y, let's plug it into the next problem.

x-y=5

(27-y)-y=5

27-2y=5

-2y=-22

y=11

Once we have a concrete value for y, we can use that to solve for x.

x=27-y

x=27-11

x=16

For a final step, use these numbers in the original problems to check the answer.

x+y=27 x-y=5

16+11=27 16-11=5

27=27 5=5

Answer 2

Let the numbers be 'm' & 'n' .

Hence

m + n = 27

m - n = 5

Add

2m = 32

m = 16

When m = 16 , then 'n' = 11