Question

The sum of two numbers is 48. If one third of one number is 5 greater than one sixth of another number, which of the following is the smaller number?

Answer 1

a + b = 48....a = 48 - b
1/3a = 1/6b + 5

1/3(48 - b) = 1/6b + 5....distribute
16 - 1/3b = 1/6b + 5
-1/3b - 1/6b = 5 - 16
-2/6b - 1/6b = - 11
-3/6b = -11
b = - 11 * - 6/3
b = 66/3
b = 22 <== smaller number

a + b = 48
a + 22 = 48
a = 48 - 22
a = 26