Question

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

Answer 1

here is your answer .

Answer 2

Heya

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let the numbers be x and y

ACCORDING TO THE QUESTION

x + y = 18.... Equation ( i )

1/x + 1/y = 1/4

=>

x + y = xy/4

=>

18 = xy/4

=>

xy = 72 .... Equation ( ii )

y = 72 / x

Put value of y in Equation ( i )

72/x + x = 18

=>

x² -18x + 72 = 0

=>

x = (18 + 6 )/ 2

OR

x = ( 18 - 6 ) /2

=>

x = 12

OR

x = 6

For x = 12 y = 6

For x = 6 y = 12