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The sum of two numbers is 42. The larger number is 8 more than the smaller number. What are the two numbers?
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Let x be a smaller number.
Then the greater number is (x+8), according to the condition.
Their sum is 42, which gives you an equation
x + (x+8) = 42, or
2x + 8 = 42, or
2x = 42 - 8 = 34.
Hence, x = 17.
Thus the smaller number is 17. The greater number is 17+8 = 25.
Please check the solution yourself.