+0  
 
0
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Real numbers a and b satisfy

a + ab = 250

a - ab = -240

Enter all possible values of a, separated by commas.

 Jun 16, 2023
 #1
avatar+1277 
+1

 

Real numbers a and b satisfy  

a + ab = 250  

a - ab = -240  

Enter all possible values of a, separated by commas.  

 

You probably won't find a simpler problem than this in your whole math textbook.  

 

                                                       a + ab  =    250  

                                                       a – ab  =  –240  

Just add them together  

                                                      2a         =     10  

Divide both sides by 2  

                                                                a  =  5   

That's it.  

That's all the possible values.  

.

 Jun 16, 2023
 #2
avatar+14 
+1

If you add the two systems, you get 2a=10, so a=5.

I'm pretty sure that is the only value of a (correct me if I am wrong).

 Jun 16, 2023

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