Question

The sum of two numbers is 62. The smaller number is 18 less than the number.what are the numbers ?

Answer 1

Hmmm assuming you meant "is 18 less than the larger number".

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

a = smaller number
b = larger number

a = b - 18

$\bf \begin{cases} a+b=62\\ \boxed{a}=b-18\\ ----------\\ \left( \boxed{b-18} \right)+b=62 \end{cases} \\\\\\ 2b-18=62\implies 2b=80\implies b=\cfrac{80}{2}\implies b=40$

what's a?  well, a = b - 18.