Answer:
The two numbers are 17 and 9.
Step-by-step explanation:
System of Equations
Let x and y represent the first and second numbers, respectively.
... x - y = 8 . . . . . . . . . the difference of the two numbers is 8
... x = 2y - 1 . . . . . . . . .the first number is one less than twice the second
Solution
The second equation gives an expression for x that can be substituted into the first equation.
... (2y -1) -y = 8
... y -1 = 8 . . . . . . . collect terms
... y = 9 . . . . . . . . . add 1
... x = 2·9 -1 = 18 -1
... x = 17
The first number is 17; the second number is 9.