Question

A number is 1/7 another number. the difference of the number is 18. assume that you are subtracting the smaller number from the larger number. find the number

Answer 1

a = the smaller number
b = the larger number
a = 1/7 b
b - a = 18
b - 1/7b = 18
6/7b = 18
b = 21
a = 1/7 * 21
a = 3

Answer 2

21 and 3

Explanation:

Let's call the small number
`x` and the larger number
`y`.

According to the problem:

`x=(1)/(7)y`

And when you substract the smaller number from the larger number you get 18:

`y-x=18`

substituting the first equation in the second one:

`y-(1)/(7)y=18(6)/(7)y=18\\ y=(18*7)/(6) =3*7=21\\y=21`

the larger number is 21.

Using the first equation to find
`x`:

`x=(1)/(7)y\\ x=(1)/(7) (21)\\x=3`

the smaller number is 3.