College Algebra 7th Edition

Published by Brooks Cole
ISBN 10: 1305115546
ISBN 13: 978-1-30511-554-5

Chapter P, Prerequisites - Section P.8 - Solving Basic Equations - P.8 Exercises - Page 59: 13

Answer

(a) yes (b) no

Work Step by Step

(a) Using $x=0$, we get: Left side: $\displaystyle \frac{0-a}{0-b}=\frac{-a}{-b}=\frac{a}{b}$ Right side: $\displaystyle \frac{a}{b}$ The sides match, so $x=0$ is a solution. (b) Using $x=b$, we get: Left side: $\displaystyle \frac{b-a}{b-b}=\frac{b-a}{0}=undefined$ Right side: $\displaystyle \frac{a}{b}$ The sides do not match, and we have an undefined left side, so $x=b$ is not a solution.
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