16Hit1600
Advanced MathVery hardDifference of two numbers from their sum and sum of squares

Advanced Math practice question

If x + y = 8, x² + y² = 34, and x > y, what is the value of x − y?

Answer: 2

(x − y)² = 2(x² + y²) − (x + y)² = 68 − 64 = 4, so x − y = 2 since x > y.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 4
4 is (x − y)², not x − y.
If you answered 15
15 is xy.
If you answered -2
−2 is ruled out because x > y.

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