View Full Version : Stuck in this equation
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?