need help with algebraic relationships please!!?
The sum of two numbers is 9, and their product is 12. I need to find the sum of their reciprocals.
im pretty sure this problem involves fractions/decimals
you dont have to answer it for me (although that would help)
but the basic procedure for getting the answer would be awesome… thanks guys.
Favorite Answer
so there would be two equations:
1) x + y = 9
2) xy = 12
then in the first equation, isolate y
y = 9-x
then sub y=9-x in the second equation
x(9-x) = 12
then expand it
9x – x^2 = 12
if you rearrange it, you will get
-(x^2-9x-12)=0
After that you can use the quadratic formula to solve it!
I don’t like fractions! 🙁
x * y = 12
So, x = 12/y. Put this into the other equation for x, getting 12/y + y = 9. Then solve for y.
I don’t know if you need this part as well, but the reciprocal is 1 over the number, so 1/y + 1/x.
- Academic Writing
- Accounting
- Anthropology
- Article
- Blog
- Business
- Career
- Case Study
- Critical Thinking
- Culture
- Dissertation
- Education
- Education Questions
- Essay Tips
- Essay Writing
- Finance
- Free Essay Samples
- Free Essay Templates
- Free Essay Topics
- Health
- History
- Human Resources
- Law
- Literature
- Management
- Marketing
- Nursing
- other
- Politics
- Problem Solving
- Psychology
- Report
- Research Paper
- Review Writing
- Social Issues
- Speech Writing
- Term Paper
- Thesis Writing
- Writing Styles