16Hit1600
AlgebraEasy–MediumSolving a sum-and-difference system

Algebra practice question

Two numbers have a sum of 13 and a difference of 3. What is the larger number?

  1. A. 8Correct
  2. B. 5
  3. C. 10
  4. D. 16

Answer: A. 8

Adding x + y = 13 and x − y = 3 gives 2x = 16, x = 8.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. 5
5 is the smaller number.
C. 10
10 is 13 − 3, forgetting to halve.
D. 16
16 is 2x, not x.

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