1)Let x be the number of girls.
2x+8=44
2x+8-8=44-8
2x/2=36/2
x=18
Therefore,the number of girls is 18.
2)Let x be the bigger number.
3x-x+18=78
2x+18-18=78-18
2x/2=60/2
x=30
Therefore,the bigger number is 30.
30+30-18=42
Therefore,the sum of the two numbers are 42.