The original equation is x + y = 38. The constraint provided says that the larger number is 12 more than the smaller, which yields the equation x = y + 12. Substituting the constraint into the original equation we can solve for y. y = 13. Then x can be solved for by substituting the value of y obtained back into the constraint.
In order to solve this problem, you can use the equation x + x + 12 = 38. Then, solve for x. Using this equation, x = 13. The two numbers are 13 and 25. You can check the answer for this by making sure that the two numbers you found equal the total.
