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
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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