sum of two numbers is 9 and the difference of 2 numbers is 17
Christopher Ramos
Published Jan 20, 2026
Solve this word problem:
sum of two numbers is 9 and the difference of 2 numbers is 17
Let us call the 2 numbers x and y, so we set up two equations:
Equation 1: x + y = 9
Equation 2: x - y = 17
Rearrange Equation 2, Solve for y:
x = 17 + y
Plugging this into Equation 1 for x, we get:
(17 + y) + y = 9
2y + 17 = 9
Subtract 17 from each side of the equation to get:
2y = 9 - 17
2y = -8
Divide each side of the equation by 2:
y = -4
Plug y = -4 into Equation 1
x + -4 = 9
Subtract -4 from both sides of the equation
x = 13
Prove our answer:
Equation 1: 13 + -4 = 9
Equation 2: 13 - -4 = 17
How does the 2 number Word Problems Calculator work?
Free 2 number Word Problems Calculator - This calculator handles word problems in the format below:* Two numbers have a sum of 70 and a product of 1189 What are the numbers?
* Two numbers have a sum of 70. Their difference 32
This calculator has 1 input.
What 2 formulas are used for the 2 number Word Problems Calculator?
For two numbers x and y that have a sum of x and y, we have x + yFor two numbers x and y that have a difference of x and y, we have x - y
For more math formulas, check out our Formula Dossier
What 6 concepts are covered in the 2 number Word Problems Calculator?
- 2 number word problems
- difference
- the result of one of the important mathematical operations, which is obtained by subtracting two numbers
- product
- The answer when two or more values are multiplied together
- sum
- the total amount resulting from the addition of two or more numbers, amounts, or items
- unknown
- a number or value we do not know
- word problem
- Math problems involving a lengthy description and not just math symbols
