Expert: Bobby Soltani - 5/18/2005

Question
two numbers have a difference of 2 and thier reciprocals have a difference of 32/33 . what are the numbers .  

Answer
Hi Celso,

Here are the two equations that we create from the information given in the problem:

x - y = 2

(1/x) - (1/y) = 32/33

Now we can solve the 2 equations, 2 unknowns problem using any method we want.  Here's one way:

1) solve for x in the first equation.  (x = y + 2)
2) plug y+2 in for x in the second equation.
3) solve the second equation for y.
4) plug the value you get for y into the first equation to solve for x.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Bobby