Carcass wrote:
If \(p + q = 12\) and \(pq = 35\), then \(\frac{1}{p} + \frac{1}{q} =\)
(A) \(\frac{1}{5}\)
(B) \(\frac{1}{7}\)
(C) \(\frac{1}{35}\)
(D) \(\frac{12}{35}\)
(E) \(\frac{23}{35}\)
One approach is to look for two values that have a SUM of 12 and a PRODUCT of 35
We get 5 and 7
So, EITHER p = 5 and q = 7 OR p = 7 and q = 5
Each case will yield the same value for \(\frac{1}{p} + \frac{1}{q}\)
\(\frac{1}{p} + \frac{1}{q} = \frac{1}{5} + \frac{1}{7}\)
\(= \frac{7}{35} + \frac{5}{35}\)
\(= \frac{12}{35}\)
Answer: D
Cheers,
Brent