Question

If (ax)/2 = bx-1 is solved correctly for x, then the result is ___. (Non-zero divisors.)

a. -2/(a-b)
b. -1/(2a-b)
c. 2/(a+b)
d. 2/(2b-a)
e. not given

Can you also explain how you got it? Thank you :)

Answer 1

(ax)/2= bx-1
muliply both sides by two
ax = 2bx-2
combine like terms
ax-2bx=-2
factor x out
x(a-2b)=-2
solve for x
x= -2/(a-2b)

Answer 2

never mind multiply top and bottom by negative 1
2/(2b-a)

Answer 3

Why would you multiply by -1?

Answer 4

minor correction..

the transformation from ax = 2bx - 2 into ax - 2bx = -2 is NOT combining like terms, but subtracting 2bx from both sides..

nothing serious..

Answer 5

right!

Answer 6

I multiply by negative 1 to get it to look like the form in the given answer.

Answer 7

Shouldn't you multiply -1 to x as well?

Answer 8

Oh! I got it now. Thank you very much. I appreciate it.

Answer 9

yeah that is a little tricky, but since i did it to the top and the bottom, it does not change the ratio, so we would not change the LHS either in other words no we dont multiply x by -1

Answer 10

That makes sense. I'll try to remember that. Thank you again.