Question 573775
Let's use X and Y for the two numbers we're looking for.  Let's also assume X is larger than Y.  So X is 8 more than Y
X = Y + 8


The next part says to take the sum of the smaller number (Y) and twice the larger number (2X) giving 46.
Y + 2X = 46


That's enough info for us.  Let's use substitution since we already have an equation with X by itself.  So, substitute (Y+8) for all instances of X in the second equation:
Y + 2X = 46
Y + 2(Y+8) = 46  Multiplying out the paren:
Y + 2Y + 16 = 46  Combining like Y terms:
3Y + 16 = 46   subtracting 16 from each side:
3Y = 30   divide by 3 on each side:
Y = 10
But what's X?  We know X is 8 more than Y from the original problem again.
If Y is 10, X is 10+8 = 18


Checking our answer using the 2nd formula:
Y + 2X = 46
(10) + 2(18) = 46
10 + 36 = 46
46 = 46  Correct!