Question 269481
Let x=the greater number
Then y=the lesser number
Now we are told that the difference of the two numbers(greater-lesser) equals 5, so:

x-y=5------------------------eq1
Twice the lesser number is 2y
Now we are also told that when we decrease(make smaller) the greater number by twice the lesser number(x-2y) the result is 9, so:
x-2y=9------------------------eq2

Lets subtract eq1 from eq2 and we get:
-y=4 or
y=-4-------------------lesser number
Substitute y=-4 into eq1 and we get:
x-(-4)=5
x+4=5  subtract 4 from each side
x+4-4=5-4 collect like terms
x=1----------------------- greater number

CK
1-(-4)=1+4=5-----ok
1-(-2*4)=9
1+8=9
9=9------ok



Does this help???--ptaylor