Question

$A is divided in the ratio of x:y. What is the difference, in dollars, between the two amounts if x>y?

Answer 1

Divide A in proportions:

\(\alpha = A \cdot \dfrac{x}{x+y} \) AND \( \beta = A \cdot \dfrac{y}{x+y} \)

To first double check: \(\alpha + \beta = A ~ \checkmark\) and \(\dfrac{\alpha}{\beta} = \dfrac{x}{y} ~ \checkmark\)

then work out: \(\alpha - \beta\)