The difference in the fractions is \(\displaystyle \frac{17}{18}-\frac56=\frac{17}{18}-\frac{15}{18}=\frac19\). Thus one ninth of the number is \(8\).

The number is \(9\times8=72\). Efficient checks give \(\displaystyle \frac{17}{18}\times72=72-4=68\) and \(\displaystyle \frac56\times72=72-12=60\). Their difference is \(8\).

Answer

\(72\); the two amounts are \(68\) and \(60\).