Question

The sum of two number is 40.Two times the smaller number exceeds the larger number by 38.Find the number

Answer 1

let the smaller be x
then the larger is 40-x

"Two times the smaller number exceeds the larger number by 38"
---> 2x > (40-x) by 38
2x = 40-x + 38
3x = 78
x = 26

the smaller is 26
the larger is 14

contradiction!
Your wording should have been
"Two times the larger number exceedss the smaller number by 38
then
2(40-x) - x = 38
80 - 2x-x = 38
-3x = -42
x = 14

the smaller is 14, the larger is 26

check:
2(26) = 52
does 52 exceed 14 by 38 ? YES