Question 893223
Call the numbers {{{ a }}} and {{{b }}}
(1) {{{ b - a = 8 }}}
(2) {{{ a +b = 50 }}}
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Add the equations
{{{ 2b = 58 }}}
{{{ b = 29 }}}
and, since
(2) {{{ a +b = 50 }}}
(2) {{{ a + 29 = 50 }}}
(2) {{{ a = 21 }}}
The smaller number is 21
check:
(1) {{{ b - a = 8 }}}
(1) {{{ 29 - 21 = 8 }}}
(1) {{{ 8 = 8 }}}
OK