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Average Math Guy
Feb 8, 2008, 06:20 PM
I need to solve for x but this is as far as I got.

b(x-a)=a(x-b)

How do I get x by itself? The book says the answer is 0 but I am not sure how to get to it.

Wondergirl
Feb 8, 2008, 06:22 PM
Show us the work you've done so far.

Average Math Guy
Feb 8, 2008, 06:26 PM
All right it was first like this

x-a/x-b=a/b

I then multiplied by the LCD and got b(x-a)=a(x-b).

Then I got bx-ab=ax-ab

Wondergirl
Feb 8, 2008, 07:27 PM
b(x-a)=a(x-1)
bx-ba = ax-a?

Average Math Guy
Feb 8, 2008, 10:18 PM
Sorry I wrote it wrong it is b(x-a)=a(x-b).

I am still stuck though...

ISneezeFunny
Feb 8, 2008, 10:47 PM
bx - ab = ax - ab

bx = ax

ax - bx = 0

x(a - b) = 0

x = b - a

only way answer's 0 is if a = b. perhaps you wrote the problem wrong?

Average Math Guy
Feb 8, 2008, 10:57 PM
In
bx = ax

if you divide by x then a will equal b. But will that work?