The ratio of two numbers is 3:7. the product of these 2 numbers is 189. what is the smaller of these numbers?

Answer 1

ratio is 3:7

3x*7x=189

21x^2=189

x^2=9

x=3 or x=-3

3*3=9 and 3*7=21

9 and 21 are the numbers; 9/21=3/7 and 9 is the smaller number

-3*3=-9 and -3*7=-21

-9 and -21 is another solution; -9/(-21)=3/7 and this time -21 is the smaller number

you could also factor 189

189=3*3*3*7=(3*3)*(3*7) and (3*3)/(3*7)=9/21=3/7

now use -9 and -21 also