SOLUTION: separate 72 into two parts, one of which shall be 1/3 of the other

Algebra ->  Expressions-with-variables -> SOLUTION: separate 72 into two parts, one of which shall be 1/3 of the other      Log On


   

Question 52239: separate 72 into two parts, one of which shall be 1/3 of the other
Answer by rchill(405) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You have the equation x%2B%281%2F3%29x=72. Solving for x, we get %284%2F3%29x=72. Now multiply both sides by 3%2F4 and we get x=54. That means our first number is 54. The second number is obtained by finding 72-54, which is 18; 18 is one-third of 54, so we have the correct answers of 54 and 18.