can someone help me figure out this question i have no idea how to do this one the sum of two numbers is 56 the first number is 2/5 of the second number what are the numbers

Question

raden · Answer

a+b = 56   ... (1) and
a = 2/5 b   ... (2)

subtitute the 2nd equ to the 1st equ :
a + b = 56
2/5 b + b  = 56
times 5 to both sides, get
5 * 2/5 b + 5b = 56 * 5
2b + 5b = 280
7b = 280
both sides divided by 7 , get
7b/7 = 280/7
b = 40

to get the value of a, resubtitute b = 40 into the 2nd equation :
a = 2/5  b
so,
a = 2/5  * 40 = 16

therefore, that number respectively are 
a = 16 and b = 40

andijo76 · Answer

oh okay that makes sense to me thank you

raden · Answer

welcome