Answer:
Setting up problems like this requires a "system of equations." We'll call the two numbers "A" and "B." Make an equation out of the first sentence. "Sum" means the answer to an addition problem.
A + B = 45
After that, make an equation out of the second sentence. "Difference" means subtraction.
A - B = 3
There are two ways to solve this problem. The two ways are called "elimination" and "substitution." I don't know which way you usually do it, but for this case, elimination is more efficient, so I'll teach you how to do that. Look how "B" is positive in the first equation, but negative in the second equation. If these two equations get added together, the B-terms will cancel.
A + B = 45
A - B = 3
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2A = 48
A = 24
Perfect, we got one of the numbers, which is 24. Plug in A = 24 into any of the equations to find B.
A + B = 45
24 + B = 45
B = 21
This means that our two magic numbers are 24 and 21. The product of these numbers can be found by multiplying them to get 504 (C). I hope this helps, and good luck with the rest of your math class!
