MHB Solve for the Two Numbers: Sum 9, Difference 6

[paulmdrdo1]

can you help me solve this just using one variable

the sum of two numbers is 9 and their difference is 6. what are the numbers?

thanks!

 

[Evgeny.Makarov]

the sum of two numbers is 9 and their difference is 6. what are the numbers?

Let $x$ be the smaller of the two numbers. Since the difference is 6, the other number is $x+6$. Now try writing the equation saying that the sum of these numbers is 9 and try solving it.

 

[Deveno]

Alternatively:

$x + y = 9$
$x - y = 6$

The second equation tells us:

$x = y + 6$

So substitute that value for $x$ into the first equation, to get an equation in the single variable $y$.