<PRE><B>Question 687224</B>
&lt;br&gt;
The other tutor showed a valid solution using two variables.&lt;br&gt;
Setting the problem up using a single variable makes solving the problem much easier.&lt;br&gt;
Given the information that the ratio of numerator to denominator is 5:8, let the numerator be 5x and the denominator be 8x.  That is a very common way to set up a problem where the ratio of two numbers is given.&lt;br&gt;
The fraction with 5 subtracted from the numerator and 4 added to the denominator is equivalent to 1/2:&lt;br&gt;
{{{(5x-5)/(8x+4)=1/2}}}
{{{10x-10=8x+4}}}
{{{2x=14}}}
{{{x=7}}}&lt;br&gt;
The original fraction has numerator 5x=35 and denominator 8x=56.&lt;br&gt;
ANSWER: 35/56&lt;br&gt;
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