he sum of two numbers is 15 the sum of the squares of the same two numbers is 172 fined the difference between the two numbers

Answer 1

a + b = 15
a^2 + b^2 = 172

a + b = 15
=> a = 15 - b
=> a^2 = (15-b)^2

So,

a^2 + b^2 = 172
=> (15-b)^2 + b^2 = 172

Solve for b, find the difference.