Two numbers have a total of 33 and their difference is 15. What is the value of the smaller number?

Explanation

Let the two numbers be x and y. According to the problem, x + y = 33 and x - y = 15. Adding these two equations gives 2x = 48, so x = 24. Substituting x = 24 into the first equation, 24 + y = 33, hence y = 9. Therefore, the smaller number is 9.