document.write( "Question 687224: The ratio of the numerator to the denominator of a certain fraction is five to eight. If five is subtracted from the numerator and four is added to the denominator, the new fraction reduces to one-half. What is the original fraction?\r
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Algebra.Com's Answer #843723 by greenestamps(13200)\"\" \"About 
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\n" ); document.write( "The other tutor showed a valid solution using two variables.

\n" ); document.write( "Setting the problem up using a single variable makes solving the problem much easier.

\n" ); document.write( "Given the information that the ratio of numerator to denominator is 5:8, let the numerator be 5x and the denominator be 8x. That is a very common way to set up a problem where the ratio of two numbers is given.

\n" ); document.write( "The fraction with 5 subtracted from the numerator and 4 added to the denominator is equivalent to 1/2:

\n" ); document.write( "\"%285x-5%29%2F%288x%2B4%29=1%2F2\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"10x-10=8x%2B4\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"2x=14\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"x=7\"

\n" ); document.write( "The original fraction has numerator 5x=35 and denominator 8x=56.

\n" ); document.write( "ANSWER: 35/56

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