One number is 4 less than 3 times another if the sum of the numbers is 36, what are the two numbers?

Let's start by assigning variables for each of the numbers. Let the first one be x, the second one be y.

x + y = 36

x = 3y - 4

Now we solve using substitution.

3y - 4 + y = 36

This simplifies into:

4y = 32

y = 8.

Now we need to solve for x.

36 - 8 = 28 (because x + y = 36)

x = 28