X=27 and y=11 if you let each number equal x and y we know the sum is 38 so x+y=38 and the smaller is 16 less than the larger . so if we say the smaller number is 7 then x-16=y these can be solved as a simultaneous equation. x+(x-16)=38 2x-16=38 2x=54 x=27 (27)-16=y y=11 so the answer is x=27 y=11
