Chapter 12.7, Problem 4MRE

To determine

To calculate: The solution of the below indicated variable, also need to state restrictions if any.

  $1-x=ax;x$

Answer to Problem 4MRE

Solution for the indicated variable is $x=\frac{1}{\left(1+a\right)}$

And restriction for this is $a=-1$ .

Explanation of Solution

Given information:

Equation $1-x=ax$

Indicated variable x

Now get x alone on one side from equation 1.

  $1-x=ax$

  $\begin{array}{l}1=ax+x\\ 1=x\left(1+a\right)\end{array}$

  $\frac{1}{\left(1+a\right)}=x$

The solution of x is meaningful if and only if $\left(1+a\right)\ne 0$ that is $a\ne -1$ , so the restriction for the indicated variable is $a=-1$ .