The sum of two numbers is 46. The smaller number is 18 less than the larger number. What are the numbers?

32 and 14 should make 46 and 14 is 18 less than 32

We have two numbers that add to 42 ... Call the larger number X and the smaller number Y X+Y = 42 We are told that Y is 12 less than X so Y = X-12 Substitute X-12 in place of Y in the original equation giving X + X - 12 = 422X - 12 = 42Add 12 to both sides2X = 54Divide both sides by 2X = 27 Y = X-12 = 27 - 12 = 15 Our two numbers are 27, 15