The sum of two numbers is 31. The first number is 5 less than the second. Find the numbers.

what?

x + x - 5 = 31

2x = 36

x = ________ (larger number)

x + (x-5) = 31

2 x - 5 = 31

2 x = 36

x = 18
x-5 =

To solve this problem, we are given two pieces of information. First, we know that the sum of the two numbers is 31. Second, we know that the first number is 5 less than the second number.

Let's represent the first number as "x" and the second number as "y".

From the given information, we can write two equations:

Equation 1: x + y = 31 (since the sum of the two numbers is 31)
Equation 2: x = y - 5 (since the first number is 5 less than the second)

To find the solution, we can use substitution or elimination method.

Using the substitution method:
We can substitute the value of x from Equation 2 into Equation 1:

(y - 5) + y = 31
2y - 5 = 31
2y = 31 + 5
2y = 36
y = 18

Now, we can substitute the value of y back into Equation 1:

x + 18 = 31
x = 31 - 18
x = 13

Therefore, the first number is 13 and the second number is 18.