Thread: number problems help please (algebra)

1)
The numerator of a fraction is 1 less than the denominator. if the numerator and the denominator are both increased by 4 ,the new fraction will be 1/8 more than the original fraction . find the original fraction

2)
the sum of two numbers is 10 and the sum of their reciprocals is 5/12 . find the numbers

3)
two numbers differ by 11 .when the larger number is divided by the smaller, the quotient is 2 and the remainder is 4. find the numbers

All these problems require you to set up a system of equations to solve.

Read the problem carefully and determine what can be done.

Originally Posted by sri340

2)
the sum of two numbers is 10 and the sum of their reciprocals is 5/12 . find the numbers

Let's call your 2 numbers and .

From the first sentence in the problem

From the second sentence

From the first equation which in turn changes the second equation into



Can you solve it from here?