SOLUTION: The difference of two unit fractions is one third of their sum. Find ratio of the larger fraction to smaller fraction ....A fraction sum ..

Algebra.Com
Question 1164140: The difference of two unit fractions is one third of their sum. Find ratio of the larger fraction to smaller fraction ....A fraction sum ..
Found 2 solutions by math_helper, ikleyn:
Answer by math_helper(2461)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let (1/a) > (1/b)





... subtracted 1/a & added 3/b to both sides


Answer by ikleyn(52780)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
The difference of two unit fractions is one third of their sum. Find ratio of the larger fraction to smaller fraction ....A fraction sum ..
~~~~~~~~~~~~


In this problem, the word    is excessive.
Mentioning that the numbers are fractions,  is excessive,  too.
The correct formulation is THIS :

    The difference of two numbers is one third of their sum. 
    Find the ratio of the larger number to the smaller one.


In this formulation, the solution is as follows.


Let x be the greater number, while "y" be the smaller number.


Then the condition says


    x - y = .


Multiply both sides by 3 and simplify


    3x - 3y = x + y.

    3x - x = 3y + y

    2x     = 4y


It implies

     =  = 2.


ANSWER.  Under the given conditions, the ratio of the larger number to the smaller is 2.

Solved.

The post-solution note:

    The numbers can be rational, irrational, algebraic, transcendent, and even complex.

    The statement remains true in all these cases.




RELATED QUESTIONS

7. The sum of two fractions is three times their difference. Six times the smaller... (answered by ewatrrr)
the sum of two fraction is 3 times their difference.Six times the smaller fraction... (answered by josgarithmetic)
A unit fraction is a fraction whose numerator equals one. The sum of three different... (answered by Edwin McCravy)
the sum of two fractions is 5. of one of the fraction is 2 1/3.find the other fraction? (answered by Alan3354)
The difference between two fractions is 1/8. One fraction is 2/3 of the other. Find the... (answered by josgarithmetic)
A unit fraction is a fraction that has a numerator of 1.Express 1/3 as the sum of three... (answered by tommyt3rd)
The larger of two numbers is twice the smaller. Their sum is three times their... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)
The sum of two numbers is 27. If the smaller is divided by the larger number, the... (answered by palanisamy)
Hello, can you please help me solve this problems: 1.) One number is 3 more than the... (answered by oscargut,ankor@dixie-net.com)