The sum of two numbers is 8 and 15 times the sum of their reciprocals is also 8. Find the numbers.


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Let the numbers be ‘a’ and ‘b’. 

Given, sum of two numbers is 8 and 15 times the sum of their reciprocals is also 8. 

⇒ a + b = 8 

⇒ a = 8 – b 

Also, 

15 × (1/a + 1/b) = 8 

⇒ 1/a + 1/b = 8/15 

⇒ 1/a + 1/(8 – a) = 8/15 

⇒ 15(8 – a + a) = 8(8a – a2

⇒ a2 – 8a + 15 = 0 

⇒ a2 -5a – 3a + 15 = 0 

⇒ a(a – 5) -3(a – 5) = 0 

⇒ (a – 3)(a – 5) = 0 

⇒ a = 3, 5