16Hit1600
AlgebraHardDifference of two fractions of a number

Algebra practice question

Two thirds of a number exceeds three fifths of the same number by 3. What is the number?

Answer: 45

(2/3)n − (3/5)n = 3 → (10/15 − 9/15)n = (1/15)n = 3 → n = 45.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 3
3 is the difference, not the number.
If you answered 15
15 is the common denominator, not the number.
If you answered 45/19
45/19 comes from (2/3 + 3/5)n = 3, adding instead of subtracting.

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