The difference of two numbers is 4. If the difference of their reciprocals is , find the numbers.

Let the numbers be ‘a’ and ‘b’.


Given, difference of two numbers is 4 and difference of their reciprocals is


a – b = 4


a = b + 4


and 1/b – 1/a = 4/21


1/(b + 4) – 1/b = -4/21


21(b – b – 4) = -4(b2 + 4b)


b2 + 4b - 21 = 0


b2 + 7b – 3b – 21 = 0


b(b + 7) – 3(b + 7) = 0


(b – 3)(b + 7) = 0


b = 3, - 7


Numbers are , 3, 7 or -7, -3


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