Question 362574
Call the smaller number {{{a}}}
Call the larger number {{{b}}}
given:
{{{a = 2b - 3}}}
{{{b - 10 = a}}}
Substitute {{{a}}} in the 1st equation into the 2nd equation
{{{b - 10 = 2b - 3}}}
{{{b = -7}}}
and, since
{{{a = 2b - 3}}}
{{{a = -14 - 3}}}
{{{a = -17}}}
The smaller number is {{{-17}}}
The larger number is {{{-7}}}
check:
{{{a = 2b - 3}}}
{{{-17 = 2*(-7) - 3}}}
{{{-17 = -17}}}
OK, and
{{{b - 10 = a}}}
{{{-7 - 10 = -17}}}
{{{-17 = -17}}}
OK