Math Problem

[trojansc82]

How do I solve for a in terms of b?

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

[billzhao]

How do I solve for a in terms of b?

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

Multiply the both sides with b^2 =>

a^2+2*a*b=-b^2 =>

a^2+2*a*b+b^2=0 =>

(a+b)^2=0 =>

a+b=0 =>

a=-b

[AJ2009]

if you multiply both sides with b^2 you will get a^2+2ab^3=-b^2 and not a^2+2ab=-b^2.

this solution will only work if the expression is (a^2+2ab)/b^2 = -1.

[sureshbala]

Let a/b = x.

Given x^2 + 2x = -1

i.e x^2 + 2x + 1 =0

i.e (x+1)^2 = 0

i.e x = -1

So a/b = -1 i.e a = -b

[marcusking]

if you multiply both sides with b^2 you will get a^2+2ab^3=-b^2 and not a^2+2ab=-b^2.

this solution will only work if the expression is (a^2+2ab)/b^2 = -1.

Check your work again. It may help to get everything except a^2/b^2 on one side.

a^2 = (-b^2) - (2a /b) b^2
a^2 = (-b^2) - (2a*b^2)/ b
a^2 = (-b^2) - (2ab)
a^2 + b^2 + 2ab = 0;
(a+b)^2 = 0
a = -b

[ven4gmat]

Let a/b = x.

Given x^2 + 2x = -1

i.e x^2 + 2x + 1 =0

i.e (x+1)^2 = 0

i.e x = -1

So a/b = -1 i.e a = -b

This will be my way of doing in the exam....simple and quick