Answer: 99 and 88
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Step-by-step explanation:
The ratio of the two numbers is 9 to 8, which we can write as shorthand into 9:8
Multiplying both parts by x gets us the ratio 9x:8x where x is nonzero.
The numbers 9x and 8x add up to 187, so,
9x+8x = 187
17x = 187
x = 187/17
x = 11
Which then means
- 9x = 9*11 = 99
- 8x = 8*11 = 88
are the two numbers. Note how 9x+8x = 99+88 = 187 to help confirm the answers. Furthermore, note how 99:88 reduces to 9:8 after dividing both parts by the GCF 11.