Question 185005
Let the two numbers be X and Y.

We know X + Y = 48

We are told that three times the smaller is 32 more than the bigger, so by taking 32 from three times the smaller we have the bigger. This gives 3X – 32 = Y

Substitute Y = 3X – 32 into X + Y = 48 gives X + 3X – 32 = 48
4X – 32 = 48
4X = 80
X = 20, Y = 28

Check: 3 x 20 (=60) is 32 more than 28. Correct.