Question

one number is 5 times another. if 18 is subtracted form the greater the remaninder will be 3 times the smaller find the number

Answer 1

5x=y
y-18=3x
put value of y
5x-18=3x
-18=3x-5x
18=2x
2x=18
x=9
5x=y
5[9]=y
45=y

Answer 2

let the smaller  be x
hence the bigger number is 5x
Therefore,
5x - 18 = 3X x
            =3x
-18= 3x - 5x
-18= -2x
-18 /-2 = x
x= 9
your smaller no. is 9