Question

Solve for x : 1/a+b+x =1/a+1/b+1/x

Answer 1

Answer:

  x ∈ {-a, -b}

Step-by-step explanation:

  1/(a+b+x) = 1/a +1/b +1/x . . . . given

  abx = bx(a+b+x) +ax(a+b+x) +ab(a+b+x) . . . . multiply by abx(a+b+x)

  (a+b)x^2 +(a+b)^2x +ab(a+b) = 0 . . . . . subtract abx

  x^2 + (a+b)x +ab = 0 . . . . . divide by (a+b)

This is a quadratic equation in x. It will have two solutions, as given by the quadratic formula.

  x = (-(a+b) ±√((a+b)^2 -4(1)(ab))/(2(1)) = (-(a+b) ± |a -b|)/2

Without loss of generality, we can assume a ≥ b, so |a -b| ≥ 0. Then ...

  x = (-a -b -a +b)/2 = -a

  x = (-a -b +a -b)/2 = -b

There are two solutions: x ∈ {-a, -b}.