SOLUTION: The sum of the reciprocals of two positive numbers is 1/2. One number is 3 more than the other. Find the numbers.

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Misc -> SOLUTION: The sum of the reciprocals of two positive numbers is 1/2. One number is 3 more than the other. Find the numbers.      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


   



Question 38792: The sum of the reciprocals of two positive numbers is 1/2. One number is 3 more than the other. Find the numbers.
Answer by Paul(988) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
One number is x+3
Another number is x
Equation
1%2Fx%2B1%2F%28x%2B3%29=0.5
[(x)+(x+3)]=0.5[(x)(x+3)]
2x%2B3=0.5%28x%5E2%2B3x%29
2x%2B3=0.5x%5E2%2B1.5x
0.5x%5E2-0.5x-3=0
x%5E2-x-6=0
Fator you get x=-2 and x=3
Hence, the numbers are 3 and (3+3)=6.
PAul.