Advanced MathVery hardDifference between a number and its reciprocal
Advanced Math practice question
A number x greater than 1 satisfies x + 1/x = 10/3. What is the value of x − 1/x?
Answer: 8/3
x + 1/x = 10/3 gives 3x² − 10x + 3 = 0, so x = 3 (since x > 1) and x − 1/x = 3 − 1/3 = 8/3.
Common wrong answers
- If you answered 3
- 3 is x alone.
- If you answered 1/3
- 1/3 is 1/x alone.
- If you answered 10/3
- 10/3 is the given sum.
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