Processing math: 100%
 
+0  
 
0
509
1
avatar

There are values A and B such that

(Bx - 11)/(x^2 - 7x + 10) = A/(x - 2) + 8/(x - 5)
Find A+B.

 Nov 12, 2021
 #1
avatar+9488 
+3

Bx11x27x+10 = Ax2+8x5 Bx11(x2)(x5) = Ax2+8x5 Bx11(x2)(x5)(x2)(x5) = (Ax2+8x5)(x2)(x5) Bx11=A(x2)(x5)x2+8(x2)(x5)x5 Bx11 = A(x5) + 8(x2)

 

Assuming the previous equation is true for all values of  x ,  it must be true when  x = 0 , so we can say:

 

B(0)11 = A(05)+8(02) 11 = A(5)16 5 = A(5) A = 1

 

And it must also be true when  x = 5  so we can say:

 

B(5)11 = A(55)+8(52) 5B11 = 24 5B = 35 B = 7

 

So   A + B   =   -1 + 7   =   6

 

Check:  https://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=%287x-11%29%2F%28x%5E2-7x%2B10%29%3D%28-1%29%2F%28x-2%29%2B8%2F%28x-5%29

 

(BTW even if the 8 and the B are swapped you can still apply this same method to solve it!)

 Nov 12, 2021

3 Online Users

avatar