Q.If the numerator of a fraction is decreased by 1, its value becomes 1/3. If the denominator of it is increased by 3, the value becomes 1/3. What is the fraction?
Attempted soln:
Let the fraction be x/y. Then According to Question,(x-1)/y=1/3 => 3x-3=y-----(1) and x/(y+3)=1/3 => 3x=y+3-------(2)
The problem is we get the same equation from both the statements. So how do we solve the question?
One equation with 2 unknowns have an infinite number of solutions.
There are an infinite number of fractions with this property.
Ex. $2/3$ is one ($\frac {2-1}{3+3}$). $56/165$ is another $55/165=56/168=1/3$.