Question 287644
Let x=smaller number
    x+12 = the larger number

The Equation for this problem is:

3x = (x+12) + 4

(because the larger number is 4 less than 3 times the smaller number)

Solve for x:

3x = x+16
2x=16
x=8

x+12= larger number
8+12=20


The smaller number is 8, and the larger number is 20.