SOLUTION: If x and y are positive numbers and the average of 4, 20, and x is equal to average of y and 16, then the ratio x:y is

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Question 245895: If x and y are positive numbers and the average of 4, 20, and x is equal to average of y and 16, then the ratio x:y is
Answer by oberobic(2304) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
In the setup to the problem you are told:
%0D%0A%28x%2B24%29%2F3+=+%28y%2B16%29%2F2%0D%0A
.
So we can cross multiply
%0D%0A2%2A%28x+%2B+24%29+=+3%2A%28y%2B16%29%0D%0A
.
Multiplying through the numerators
.
%0D%0A2x+%2B+48+=+3y+%2B+48%0D%0A
.
Subtracting 48 from both sides
2x = 3y
.
So, by inspection, the ratio x:y = 2:3 using their coefficients.