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blitheclyde
vitaliyGMAT
\(\frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{y} = \frac{1}{9}\)

\(\frac{x + y}{xy} = \frac{1}{9}\)

\(9x + 9y = xy\)

\(9x + 9y - xy - 81 = - 81\)

\((x - 9)(y - 9) = 81\)

Factors of \(81\) ----> (\(1*81)(3*27)(9*9)(27*3)(81*1)\) and negative counterparts

Intuitively 1 and 81 will give max difference

\(x - 9 = 1\) ---> \(x = 10\)

\(y - 9 = 81\) -----> \(y = 90\)

max \((y - x) = 90 - 10 = 80\)

Answer B

Why must \((x - 9)(y - 9) = 81\) have integer roots? Why wouldn't \((x - 9)(y - 9) = (810)(.1) = 81\) and \(x = 819, y = 9.1\) be appropriate?

Usually those questions imply integer solutions because number theory deals with integers. If not we can also choose 8100*0.01 or 81000*0.001 etc. and their will be infinitely many options. In this case the answer will be E.



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