If 2/5 of two numbers is 56.

Question

2/5 of two numbers is 56. One of the numbers is 36. What is the other number?

Answer 1

Let x = the unknown second number.  2/5 of [the sum of] two numbers is 56. One of the numbers is 36:

 

(2/5)(36+x) = 56

 

Multiply both sides by 5/2:

 

36 + x = 56*5/2

36 + x = 140

x = 104

 

Check:

(2/5)(36+104)=56

(2/5)(140)=556

280/5 = 56

56 = 56

Check!