Answer: the smaller number is - 7
Explanation:
Let x represent the smaller number
Let y represent the larger number.
One number added to three times another number is 45. This is expressed as
x + y = 45
Six times the first number added to two times the other number is 62. This means that
6x + 2y = 62 - - - - - - - - - - - -1
Substituting x = 45 - y into equation 1, it becomes
6(45 - y) + 2y = 62
270 - 6y + 2y = 62
- 6y + 2y = 62 - 270
- 4y = - 208
y = - 208/-4
y = 52
x = 45 - y = 45 - 52
x = - 7