Question 192149
let  smaller  +x
let  larger  = x+2

The  problem  only  makes  sense  if  " is  three  than"  reads  "  is  3  smaller  than"

to  solve  this  problem

l^2 = 12 S-3

(x+2)^2 =12(x) -3

x^2 +4x+4 =12x -3

subt  12  x  both  sides

x^2 +4x -12x +4 =-3

now  add  3  to  both  sides

x^2 +4x -12x +4 +3  =0

x^2 -8x +7 =0

factoring

(x-7) (x-1)  =0

setting  both  =0

x-7=0,  x=7  (smaller)  &  larger  =9

or  x-1=0,  x=1 (smaller) & larger  is  3

checking  (l^2=12*s-3)

3^2=12(1)-3    ok

9^2 = 12(7)-3  or  81=84-3  ok

Therefore  both  sets  are  correct,  1  &3,   and  7&9