Math Problem Statement

Find x and y

Find x and y in the equation: x/3 + 3/y = x/4 - 4/y = 1.

Solution

The given equation is:

x3+3y=x44y=1\frac{x}{3} + \frac{3}{y} = \frac{x}{4} - \frac{4}{y} = 1

Let’s solve for xx and yy.


Step 1: Separate the equation into two parts

We can split the problem into two equations:

  1. x3+3y=1\frac{x}{3} + \frac{3}{y} = 1
  2. x44y=1\frac{x}{4} - \frac{4}{y} = 1

Step 2: Solve the first equation

x3+3y=1\frac{x}{3} + \frac{3}{y} = 1

Multiply through by 3y3y (the common denominator):

yx+9=3yy \cdot x + 9 = 3y

Rearrange to express xx in terms of yy:

x=3y9yx = \frac{3y - 9}{y}


Step 3: Solve the second equation

x44y=1\frac{x}{4} - \frac{4}{y} = 1

Multiply through by 4y4y (the common denominator):

yx16=4yy \cdot x - 16 = 4y

Rearrange to express xx in terms of yy:

x=4y+16yx = \frac{4y + 16}{y}


Step 4: Equate the two expressions for xx

From the first equation: x=3y9yx = \frac{3y - 9}{y}

From the second equation: x=4y+16yx = \frac{4y + 16}{y}

Equate the two expressions for xx:

3y9y=4y+16y\frac{3y - 9}{y} = \frac{4y + 16}{y}

Since the denominators are the same, equate the numerators:

3y9=4y+163y - 9 = 4y + 16

Simplify:

9=y+16-9 = y + 16

y=25y = -25


Step 5: Solve for xx

Substitute y=25y = -25 into either equation for xx. Using the first equation:

x=3y9yx = \frac{3y - 9}{y}

x=3(25)925x = \frac{3(-25) - 9}{-25}

x=75925x = \frac{-75 - 9}{-25}

x=8425=8425x = \frac{-84}{-25} = \frac{84}{25}


Final Answer:

x=8425,y=25x = \frac{84}{25}, \, y = -25

Would you like me to verify the solution or provide additional details?


Related Questions:

  1. How do you simplify fractions in equations?
  2. What are other methods to solve systems of equations involving fractions?
  3. How can we verify the solution of this equation?
  4. How do you handle equations with multiple variables?
  5. What are practical applications of such equations?

Tip:

Always check your solution by substituting back into the original equations to ensure it satisfies all parts of the problem.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Fractions
Systems of Equations

Formulas

Solving linear equations with fractions
Equating two expressions for the same variable

Theorems

Basic properties of equality in algebra

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12