Question 23369
Let smaller number be "x"
Then next consecutive number is "x+1"
The sum of the two is 2x+1
"nine more than eight times the smaller" is 8x+9
EQUATION:
2x+1 = 8x+9
  -6x=8
    x= -4/3
 x+1 = -4/3+3/3= -1/3

Cheers,
Stan H.