the numbers M and N are different numbers selected from the first 25 counting numbers: If M is larger than N, what is the smallest value that M * N over M-N could have?

Answer 1

the smallest value of MN/(M-N) is obtained when
MN is as small as possible and M-N is as large as possible

since M and N are from the first 25 natural numbers
the smallest product is 1x2 or 2
and the largest difference is 25-1 or 24

the smallest value of MN/(M-N) is 2/24 or 1/12

Answer 2

I thought in this problem M and N had to be the same numbers so how could we do 1*2 over 25-1. Also, M has to be larger than N........still confused.

Answer 3

In the first line of your problem you said
"M and N are different numbers".

when I formed 25 - 1 for M-N , wasn't my M > N ???

Answer 4

ok, thanks. I was just thinking I had to use the same number for M & M on the top and bottom of the fraction. I understand now. Thanks so much!