document.write( "Question 641184: one number is 3 times another. the sum of their reciprocals is 20/3. find the numbers \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #403573 by josh_jordan(263) You can put this solution on YOUR website! To solve, let's turn the sentences into equations. The first sentence says that one number is 3 times another. In other words:\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "x = 3y\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "The next sentence says that the sum of their reciprocals is 20/3. In other words:\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "To solve, we need to substitute x in the second equation, with 3y, that way we will get rid of x and solve for y:\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Next, multiply the equation by 3y. This will get rid of our fractions and leave us with:\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Divide both sides of the equation by 20, and this will leave us with y, which will be one of our numbers:\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "So, 1/5 is one of our numbers. \r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "We know that the other number is 3 times y. So, 3 x 1/5 will give us our other number:\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "3 x 1/5 = 3/5\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "FINAL ANSWER: 1/5 and 3/5 are the numbers \n" ); document.write( " |