A two digit number is such that the sum of its digits is 17. When the digits are reversed the new number formed exceed the original number by 9. Find the two numbers

1 answer

Let the two-digit number be represented as \(10a + b\), where \(a\) is the tens digit and \(b\) is the units digit. According to the problem, we have the following relationships:

  1. The sum of the digits is 17: \[ a + b = 17 \]

  2. When the digits are reversed, the new number exceeds the original number by 9: \[ 10b + a = (10a + b) + 9 \]

Now, we can simplify the second equation: \[ 10b + a = 10a + b + 9 \]

Rearranging this gives: \[ 10b + a - b - 10a = 9 \] \[ 9b - 9a = 9 \] \[ b - a = 1 \]

Now we have a system of two equations:

  1. \(a + b = 17\)
  2. \(b - a = 1\)

We can solve this system by first expressing \(b\) in terms of \(a\) using the second equation: \[ b = a + 1 \]

Now substituting \(b\) into the first equation: \[ a + (a + 1) = 17 \] \[ 2a + 1 = 17 \] \[ 2a = 16 \] \[ a = 8 \]

Now substituting \(a\) back into the equation for \(b\): \[ b = 8 + 1 = 9 \]

Thus, the digits are \(a = 8\) and \(b = 9\). The two-digit number is: \[ 10a + b = 10(8) + 9 = 80 + 9 = 89 \]

To verify:

  • The sum of the digits \(8 + 9 = 17\) (correct).
  • The reversed number is \(98\) and \(98 - 89 = 9\) (also correct).

Therefore, the two-digit number is: \[ \boxed{89} \]