The smaller number is 1/2 of the larger number. Find the number if the sum is 36

12

Step-by-step explanation:

Let s represent the smaller number and n the larger number.

Then s + n = 36. s = (1/2) n. Substituting (1/2) n for s, we get:

(1/2) n + n = 36, or (3/2) n = 36.

Multiplying both sides of this equation by (2/3) will isolate n as desired:

(2/3) (3/2) n = (2/3) (36) = 24. Then n = 24 and s = (1/2) (24) = 12. The smaller number is 12.

Check: do 12 and 24 add up to 36? Yes.