Problema Solution
A positive integer is 5 less than another. If the sum of the reciprocal of the smaller and twice the reciprocal of the larger is 7/30 what is the smaller.
Answer provided by our tutors
let 'x' and 'y' be the positive integers and x>y
y = x - 5
1/y + 2/x = 7/30
plug y = x - 5 into the last equation
1/(x - 5) + 2/x = 7/30
by solving we find
x = 15
click here to see the step by step solution of the equation
y = 15 - 5
y = 10
the smaller number is 10.