Question

The ratio whose terms differ by 40 is 2 : 7. The smallest number is ___.

Answer 1

Let the ratio be x : (x + 40). Then,

$\frac{x}{x+40}=\frac{2}{7}\Rightarrow 7x=2x+80\Rightarrow 5x=80$

$\Rightarrow x=16$

$\therefore$ The smallest number is 16.