Thread: Difficult solve for x equation

Solve for x

(x/a) - 1 = (x/b) + 2

This is what i tried doing:
(x/a) - (1/a) = (x/b) + (2/b)
(-x/a) = (2x/b)
-bx + 2xa
x(-b +2a)

However i think ive done it wrong.


Also help would be appreciated for this equation as well:
Solve for x

(p-qx/t) + p = (qx - t/p)

really have no idea where to start

For the first part, (x/a) - 1 = (x/b) + 2 . I would solve it this way.

(x/a) - 1 = (x/b) + 2

(x-a)-(a/a) = (x/b) + (2b/b) ....... ( Group them together as they have same denominator )
(x-a/a) = (x+2b/b) ................ ( cross multiply )
xb - ab = ax + 2ab
xb - ax = 2ab + ab
x( b - a ) = 3ab
x = 3ab / (b -a)

thanks but how did you get to here for the first step?


(x-a)-(a/a) = (x/b) + (2b/b)

For the second part, i would solve it this way.

(p-qx/t) + p = (qx - t/p)
(p-qx/t) + (pt/t) = (qx - t/p)
(p-qx+pt/t) = (qx - t/p)

You can take it from here. Just cross multiply and then rearrange the equation so that all the x's are on one side and the rest on the other. The solve for x.

Originally Posted by scubasteve94

thanks but how did you get to here for the first step?


(x-a)-(a/a) = (x/b) + (2b/b)

Your original eqn : (x/a) - 1 = (x/b) + 2

a/a = 1
2b/b = 2

I did this to ensure that each side of the equation will have the same denominator.

Oh ok thank you