Question

The difference between two numbers is 8; if 2 be added to the greatet the result will be three times the smaller:find the numbers

Answer 1

Let the numbers be a and b.
a - b = 8
⇒a = b+8

a+2 = 3b
⇒b+8+2 = 3b
⇒b+10 = 3b
⇒10 = 3b-b = 2b
⇒b = 10/2 = 5
  a = b + 8 = 13

The numbers are 5 and 13.

Answer 2

numbers are 5 and 13
 let number be x and y
x-y=8.....1
let x be the greatest obviosly otherwise number will be negative
x+2=3y.....2
x+2-y=10.....3
substtuting 2 in 3
3y-y=10
y=5
x=8+5
x=13