Did you know?
In a problem like this, where two numbers are related by a percentage, we can use algebra to find the solution. By setting up an equation, we can solve for both numbers. In this case, let's call the smaller number "x" and the bigger number "y." We know that x is 80% of y, which can be written as x = 0.8y. Additionally, we know that the sum of the numbers is 234, so x + y = 234. By substituting the value of x from the first equation into the second equation, we can solve for y. Finally, finding the difference between the two numbers, which is y - x, will give us the answer. Algebra allows us to solve complex problems and find mathematical relationships between different quantities.