The sum of two numbers a and b is 15, and the sum of their reciprocals is 3/10. Find the numbers a and b.

Let the numbers be ‘a’ and ‘b’


Given, sum of two numbers is 15. The sum of their reciprocals is 1/4


a + b = 15


b = 15 – a


Also, 1/a + 1/b = 3/10


1/a + 1/(15 – a) = 3/10


15 × 10 = 45a – 3a2


a2 – 15a + 50 = 0


a2 – 15a – 5a + 50 = 0


a(a – 10) – 5(a – 10) = 0


(a – 5)(a – 10) = 0


a = 5, 10


Numbers are are 5,10 or 10, 5


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