Answer:
35 is the larger number.
26 is the smaller number.
Explanation:
We don't know either number so let one of the numbers be x, the other one can be 9 less (so take away 9) x - 9
These two numbers add up to 61 ("sum" means adding)
x + x - 9 = 61
Combine the x's
2x - 9 = 61
Add 9 to both sides
2x = 70
Divide by two on both sides
x = 35
That's one of the numbers.
x - 9 = 35 - 9 = 26
So the numbers are 35 and 26.
35 is larger.
26 is smaller.