16Hit1600
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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