SOLUTION: One number is 5 times another...the sum of their reciprocals is 6/35...what are the 2 numbers? Um...what? Please help...

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Question 43121This question is from textbook Beginning Algebra
: One number is 5 times another...the sum of their reciprocals is 6/35...what are the 2 numbers?
Um...what? Please help... This question is from textbook Beginning Algebra

Found 2 solutions by fractalier, AnlytcPhil:
Answer by fractalier(6550) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let one number be x. The other is then 5x. Then we have
1/x + 1/5x = 6/35
Multiply everything by 35x and get
35 + 7 = 6x
42 = 6x
x = 7
5x = 35

Answer by AnlytcPhil(1807) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

One number is 5 times another...the sum of their reciprocals is 6/35...what are the 2 numbers? Smaller number = x >>...one number is 5 times another...<< Larger number = 5x Reciprocal of smaller number = 1/x Reciprocal of larger number = 1/(5x) >>...the sum of their reciprocals is 6/35...<< 1/x + 1/(5x) = 6/35 Can you solve that? If not post again. Hint: multiply thru by LCD = 35x Answer: x = 7, So smaller number = x = 7 Larger number = 5x = 5(7) = 35 Edwin