You can solve this using algebra:
Use 'n' as a number.
So n can be the first number. To find the consecutive number, you just add 1 To the first number so the second number will be n+1.
The sum means you add them so lets put this in a formula:
n + n + 1 = 73.
The rearrange it so you get n on its own and then solve it:
2n + 1 = 73
2n = 73 - 1
2n = 72
n = 72 ÷ 2
n = 36
Then just substitute n into The original algebraic forms.
The first number was just n. So the first number is 36.
The second number was n+1. So the second number is 36 + 1 Which is 37.
So the two numbers are 36 and 37.