Question

Solve for x . State any restrictions on the variables ax-5 = bx - 13

Answer 1

ax-5 = bx - 13

add 5 to each side

ax = bx-13+5

ax = bx-8

subtract bx from each side

ax-bx = -8

factor out x

x(a-b) = -8

divide by a-b

x = -8/(a-b)

a-b cannot =0

a cannot =b

Answer: x = -8/(a-b)  a cannot equal b