The sum of the measures of two complementary angles exceeds the difference of their measures by 72°. Find the measure of the smaller angle.

Complementary angles add up to 90°. Since their sum exceeds their difference by 72°, their difference is 90° − 72° = 18°. The smaller angle is (90° − 18°) ÷ 2 = 36°, so the correct choice is 36°.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.