The difference of two numbers is 12 and their mean is 15. Find the two numbers.
Let the two numbers be x and y. We're given:
x - y + y = y + 12
Cancelling the y's on the left side, we get:
x = y + 12
Now substitute this into equation 2:
(y + 12 + y)/2 = 15
Cross multiply:
y + 12 + y = 30
Group like terms for y:
2y + 12 = 30
Typing this equation into our search engine, we get:
y = 9
Now substitute this into modified equation 1:
x = y + 12
x = 9 + 12
x = 21
Let the two numbers be x and y. We're given:
- x - y = 12
- (x + y)/2 = 15. <-- Mean is an average
x - y + y = y + 12
Cancelling the y's on the left side, we get:
x = y + 12
Now substitute this into equation 2:
(y + 12 + y)/2 = 15
Cross multiply:
y + 12 + y = 30
Group like terms for y:
2y + 12 = 30
Typing this equation into our search engine, we get:
y = 9
Now substitute this into modified equation 1:
x = y + 12
x = 9 + 12
x = 21