Question

The sum of two numbers is 18. The sum of their reciprocals is 1/4. Find the numbers.

Answer 1

Answer:

Let the numbers be ‘a’ and ‘b’

Given, sum of two numbers is 18. The sum of their reciprocals is 1/4

⇒ a + b = 18

⇒ b = 18 – a

Also, 1/a + 1/b = 1/4

 

⇒ 1/a + 1/(18 – a) = 1/4

 

⇒ 18 × 4 = 18a – a2

 

⇒ a2 – 18a + 72 = 0

 

⇒ a2 – 12a – 6a + 72 = 0

 

⇒ a(a – 12) – 6(a – 12) = 0

 

⇒ (a – 6)(a – 12) = 0

⇒ a = 6, 12

 

Numbers are are 6,12 or 12, 6