College Algebra (10th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321979478
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-947-6

Chapter 8 - Section 8.6 - Systems of Nonlinear Equations - 8.6 Assess Your Understanding - Page 616: 76

Answer

$a=\frac{1}{2},$ and $b=-1$

Work Step by Step

$a+b=ab,$ $\frac{1}{a}-\frac{1}{b}=3,$ $\frac{b-a}{ab}=3,$ $b-a=3ab,$ $b-a=3(a+b),$ $b-a=3a+3b,$ $-2b=4a,$ $a=-\frac{1}{2}b,$ $-\frac{1}{2}b+b=-\frac{1}{2}b(b),$ $\frac{1}{2}b=-\frac{1}{2}b^2,$ $\frac{1}{2}b^2+\frac{1}{2}b=0,$ $\frac{1}{2}b(b+1)=0,$ $b=0$ or $b=-1$ and $a=0$ or $a=\frac{1}{2},$ Therefore, $a=\frac{1}{2},$ and $b=-1$
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