Algebra word problem

Question

The greater of two numbers is one less than three times the smaller.  If three times the greater is five more than eight times the smaller, find the numbers 

Answer 1

Let x = the smaller number

Let 3x - 1 = the larger number

3(3x-1) = 8x + 5

9x - 3 = 8x + 5

x = 8

3(8) - 1 = 23