SOLUTION: The sum of two mixed numbers is 2 and a half more than the difference. What are the two numbers?

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Question 988385: The sum of two mixed numbers is 2 and a half more than the difference. What are the two numbers?
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The sum of two mixed numbers is 2 and a half more than the difference.
What are the two numbers?
:
a + b = 21%2F2 + a - b
Subtract a from both sides
b = 21%2F2 - b
add b to both sides
2b = 21%2F2
convert to a improper fraction
2b = 5%2F2
divide both sides by 2
b = 5%2F4
Convert to a mixed number: b = 11%2F4 is one number
Find a
a + 5%2F4 = 5%2F2 + a - 5%2F4
do the math and it is apparent that a can be any value
a - a + 5%2F4 = 5%2F4