The sum of a certain number and a second number is - 42. The first number minus the second number is 52. find the numbers

Let the first number be x and decide number be y

therefore x+y = - 42

also. x-y = 52 using the process of elimination

we get: 2x = 10

we divide both sides by 2, which gives us x=5

then we substitute the value of x in the first equation

that gives us. 5+y = - 42

thus. y = - 47