Give the step-by-step reasoning process and then the final answer. The difference between the ages of two friends is 2 years. The sum of their ages is 74 years. Find the age of the older friend.
Let X be the age of the older friend. The younger friend is X - 2 years old. So, the age of both is X + (X - 2) = 74. X + X = 74 + 2. 2 * X = 76. Then, the older friend is X = 38 years old.
The final answer: 38.