If Beth had 1/4 a box of candy, and she ate 1/2 of the remaining candy, she would have 1/8 because the equation is calling for you to multiply 1/4 by 1/2 or divide 1/4 by 2. To multiply two fractions, you multiply straight across. When you do so, 1x1 equals 1 and 4x2 equals 8, leaving you with an answer of 1/8!
We know that x is the smaller number and y is the bigger number. We also know that the difference is 13, meaning x-y= -13. Since the sum of the two numbers is 59, x+y= 59