The first number is 12 more than the second number.
This means that if you subtract 12 from the first number, you'll get the second number. Let's have x stand for the first, larger number, and y stand for the second, smaller number.
74 = x + y
x = y + 12
So 74 = y + y + 12 which simplifies to 74 = 2y + 12.
Now all we need to do is solve the equation to find y. First, we'll subtract both sides by 12:
74 - 12 = 62.
2y + 12 - 12 = 2y.
Now we have 62 = 2y. Dividing both sides by 2 gives us:
31 = y. (y is the second, smaller number)
Now we need to find x. Recall our previous equation which tells us that x = y + 12.
Plug in y = 31 to get:
x = 31 + 12
x = 43
Let's check to make sure this is right. 43 + 31 give us 74. 43 is 12 more than 31. So, our two numbers are 43 and 31.
