If i know the sum of two numbers and their difference. Can i find both numbers?

Question

I know that their sum is 360, and the difference between the two numbers is 86... or is there like multiple pairs of possible numbers?...

Answer 1

You can work out exactly what the numbers are whenever you know their sum and difference.

Call the numbers a and b.

so

a + b = 360 (1)

a - b = 86 (2)

so re-arranging (2), a = 86 + b.

Substituting this into (1)

(86 + b) + b = 360

2b = 360 - 86

2b = 274

b = 137.

then a = 86 + b = 86 + 137

a = 223.

So the two numbers are 223 and 137.

Answer 2

No - only one pair is going to be correct.

360/2=180. If the difference is 86, you know each number will be half that from 180, or the sum won't be right.

So - the answer is 137 and 223

Another way to do this is to take the total, add the difference, and divide by two:

(360+86)/2=223 - that gives you the high number, then just subtract the difference for the low number.

Hope this helps