One number is 3 times another. if the difference of the numbers is 36, find the two numbers.

The two numbers are 18 and 54.

In order to find these, we need to set up a system of equations. To write the first equation, we'll focus on the beginning of this statement. Let x be the first number and y be the second (or "another"). Since x is 3 times y, we can set x = 3y and solve for an equation.

x = 3y > subtract 3y

x - 3y = 0

Now we also know that subtracting y (the smaller number than x), will give us 36.

x - y = 36

Now we can solve the system by multiplying the first equation by -1 and adding together.

-x + 3y = 0

x - y = 36

2y = 36 > divide by 2

y = 18

So we now know that one number is 18, plug back into either equation to find the other.

x - y = 36

x - 18 = 36

x = 54