Final answer:
The smaller number is 7 and the larger number is 16.
Step-by-step explanation:
Let's assume the smaller number as 'x' and the larger number as 'y'.
According to the problem, the difference between two numbers is nine, so we can write an equation as y - x = 9.
Also, it is given that the larger number is five less than three times the smaller number, so another equation can be written as y = 3x - 5.
Now, we can solve these two equations to find the values of x and y. Substituting the value of y in the first equation, we get:
(3x - 5) - x = 9
Simplifying, we find 2x = 14.
Dividing both sides by 2, we get x = 7.
Substituting this value in the second equation, we find y = 3(7) - 5 = 16.
Therefore, the two numbers are 7 and 16.
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