The sum of the measures of two complementary angles exceeds the difference of the measures by 72 degrees find the measure of the smaller angle

Complementary angles are angles whose sum are equal to 90 degree. So

Let x be the one angle

And y be the second angle

X + y = 90

X - y = 90 - 72 = 18

Adding the two equation

2x = 108

X = 54

Y = 90 - 54 = 36 degrees is the smaller angle