The sum of two numbers differ by 3, find the smaller number?

Answer 1

Since there is no specification on the number set. We can start then by letting:

x = first number

x+1 second number.

so, x+x+1 = -3

combining the like terms 2x= -4 where x = -2

to check: -2+(-2) +1 = -4+1 = -3.