SOLUTION: Suppose that the sum of two whole numbers is 9 and the sum of their reciprocals is 1/2. Find the numbers. I know the answer is 3 and 6. However, I dont know how to write the proble

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Question 413610: Suppose that the sum of two whole numbers is 9 and the sum of their reciprocals is 1/2. Find the numbers. I know the answer is 3 and 6. However, I dont know how to write the problem out.
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
"the sum of two whole numbers is 9" means that x%2By=9. Solve for y to get y=9-x


" the sum of their reciprocals is 1/2" tells us that 1%2Fx%2B1%2Fy=1%2F2. Multiply EVERY term by the LCD 2xy to get 2y%2B2x=xy


Now plug in y=9-x to get 2%289-x%29%2B2x=x%289-x%29


At this point, you have an equation with 1 unknown. Simply expand everything out, simplify, and then use the quadratic formula to find x. I'll let you take it from here.


If you need more help, email me at jim_thompson5910@hotmail.com

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Jim