We cm let x represent the smaller number. Then the larger number can be represented by 2x - 10 .
Since the sum of the two numbers is 38, we can write the following equation:
x + 2x -10 = 38
If we combine like terms:
3x -10 = 38
Then add 10 to both sides of the equation:
3x -10 + 10 = 38 +10
3x = 48
Divide both sides of the equation by 3:
3x/3 = 48/3
x (or the smaller number) is 16
The larger number will be 2x -10 or 2*16 -10:
32-10 or 22
The two numbers are 16 and 22.
