A two-digit number's digits are swapped to form a new number that is 18 greater than the original. If the sum of the digits is 8, what is the original number?

Explanation

Let the digits be x and y, with the original number as 10x + y. The reversed number is 10y + x. According to the problem, (10y + x) - (10x + y) = 18, which simplifies to 9(y - x) = 18, so y - x = 2. Also, x + y = 8. Solving these two equations gives x = 3 and y = 5, making the original number 35. However, since the reversed number is 53, which is 18 more than 35, the original number is indeed 35. Therefore, the correct answer is 26.