Answer:
The larger number is 37. This makes the smaller number 56 - 37, which is 19.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first step is to pick variables for the two numbers. Lets call the smaller number x and the larger number y.
Since the sum of the two numbers is 56, this means that x + y = 56. Let's call this equation 1 and save it for later.
The next sentence says:
The smaller number is 18 less than the larger number. So, 18 less than the larger number would be y - 18. So, the smaller number must be equal to this, so
x = y - 18
Replace the x in equation 1 with y - 18
x + y = 56
(y-18) + y = 56 (replace x with y-18)
2y - 18 = 56 (add the y's)
2y = 74 (add 18 to both sides)
y = 37 (divide both sides by 2)
So, the larger number is 37. This makes the smaller number 56 - 37, which is 19.
Hope this helps!! :)
