Question

If `x/4 + y/3 = 5/12` and `x/2 + y = 1`, then find the value of (x + y).

Answer 1

The given pair of equations is

`x/4 + y/3 = 5/12`   ...(i)

`x/2 + y = 1`   ...(ii)

Multiplying (i) by 12 and (ii) by 4, we have

3x + 4y = 5   ...(iii)

2x + 4y = 4   ...(iv)

Now, subtracting (iv) from (iii), we get

x = 1

Putting x = 1 in (iv), we have

2 + 4y = 4

⇒ 4y = 2

⇒ `y = 1/2`

∴ `x + y = 1 + 1/2 = 3/2 `

Hence, the value of x + y is `3/2`.