Question

What number must be subtracted from each of 14,17,34 and 42 so that the difference will be proportional?

Answer 1

Let $x$ must be subtracted

then$,$

$14-x/17-x=34-x/42-x$

$\left(14-x\right)\left(42-x\right)=\left(34-x\right)\left(17-x\right)$

$x^2-56x+558=x^2-51x+578$

$5x=10$

$x=2$

So$,$ the number must be subtracted from each of $14,17,34$ and $42$ is $2.$