Question 93010

Just write what it says:
:
"The difference of two numbers is 27." 
One number = x
the 2nd number = (x-27)
:
"The second is 1 less than 3 times the first.
x - 27 = 3x - 1
: 
What are the two numbers? 
x - 3x = -1 + 27
-2x = +26
x = 26/-2
x = -13
:
2nd number: -13 - 27 = -40
:
Check using the statement "The second is 1 less than 3 times the first."
-40 = 3(-13) - 1