Question

The sum of two numbers is 40 - 13. what are the integers.

Answer 1

So. let's say the numbers are "a" and "b"

whatever they're, we know a + b = 56

let's say the larger one is "b", so 3 times the smaller is 3*a or 3a
now, 12 less than that, is 3a - 12

and the larger is that, so b = 3a - 12

so   $\bf \begin{cases} a+b=56\\ \boxed{b}=3a-12\\ ----------\\ a+\boxed{3a-12}=56 \end{cases}$

solve for "a", to see what the smaller one is

what's b? well, b = 56 - a