X:y=5:3 and x+y=56 work out the value of x-y

x - y = 14

given the ratio x : y = 5 : 3

then let x = 5x and y = 3x, hence equation can be expressed as

5x + 3x = 56

8x = 56 (divide both sides by 8)

x = 7

Hence x = 5 * 7 = 35 and y = 3 * 7 = 21

Thus x - y = 35 - 21 = 14