Linear system:

Number problems

1) Find the value of two numbers if their sum is 12 and their difference is 4.

Representation:

First number: x Second number: y

Sum of two numbers:

x + y = 12 Equation 1
y = 12 x

Their difference:
xy=4 Equation 2

Solution by substitution:
y = 12 x (derived from Equation 1)

Step 1: Substitute 12 x to y in Equation 2. Step 2: Substitute 8 to x in Equation 1.

xy=4 xy=4
x (12 x) = 4 8y=4
x -12 + x = 4 -y = 4 8
2x 12 = 4 -y = -4
2x = 4 + 12 y=4
2x/2 = 16/2
x=8

Check: x = 8 and y = 4

Equation 1: x + y = 12 Equation 2: x y = 4
8 + 4 = 12 84=4
12 = 12 4=4