Sum means add x and y are the numbers sum i 44 x+y=44
smaller s 20 les than larger x=20+y or y=20+x doesn't matter, just pick one x=20+y
substue 20+y for x since they are equal x+y=44 (20+y)+y=44 20+y+y=44 20+2y=44 subtract 20 from both sides 2y=24 divide by 2 y=12 subsitue x=20+y x=20+12 x=32