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.If you add 5 to both the numerator and the denominator of a fraction, you obtain 2/3; however, if '

you subtract 5 from both the numerator and the denominator of the same fraction, you obtain 1/4. For what fraction is this true?

User ZXynK
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1 Answer

2 votes

Answer:

The fraction that this is true for = 7/13

Explanation:

From the above question

Let the numerator be represented by a

Let the denominator be represented by b

If you add 5 to both the numerator and the denominator of a fraction, you obtain 2/3

This means:

a + 5/b + 5 = 2/3

Cross Multiply

3(a + 5) = 2(b + 5)

3a + 15 = 2b + 10

Collect like terms

3a - 2b = 10 - 15

3a - 2b = -5..........Equation 1

If you subtract 5 from both the numerator and the denominator of the same fraction, you obtain 1/4

This means:

a - 5/b - 5 = 1/4

Cross Multiply

4(a - 5) = 1(b - 5)

4a - 20 = b - 5

Collect like terms

4a - b = 20 - 5

4a - b = 15..........Equation 2

b = 4a - 15

3a - 2b = -5..........Equation 1

4a - b = 15..........Equation 2

Substitute 4a - 15 for b in equation 1

3a - 2b = -5..........Equation 1

3a - 2(4a - 15) = -5

3a - 8a + 30 = -5

Collect like terms

3a - 8a = -5 - 30

-5a = -35

a = -35/-5

a = 7

Therefore, the numerator of the fraction = 7

Substitute 7 for a in Equation 2

4a - b = 15..........Equation 2

4 × 7 - b = 15

28 - b =15

28 - 15 = b

b = 13

The denominator = b is 13.

Therefore,the fraction which this is true for = 7/13

To confirm

a) If you add 5 to both the numerator and the denominator of a fraction, you obtain 2/3

This means:

a + 5/b + 5 = 2/3

7 + 5/ 13 + 5 = 2/3

12/18 = 2/3

Divide numerator and denominator by of the left hand side by 6

12÷ 6/ 18 ÷ 6 = 2/3

2/3 =2/3

If you subtract 5 from both the numerator and the denominator of the same fraction, you obtain 1/4

This means:

a - 5/b - 5 = 1/4

7 - 5/13 - 5 = 1/4

2/8 = 1/4

Divide the numerator and denominator of the left hand side by 2

2÷2/8 ÷ 2 = 1/4

1/4 = 1/4

From the above confirmation, the fraction that this is true for is 7/13

User Lewray
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