document.write( "Question 236940: 5/X = X/20
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document.write( "Do I use the positive solution, the negative solution, or both? \n" );
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Algebra.Com's Answer #174294 by solver91311(24713)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! \r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Well, since:\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "and\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "From a purely mathematical point of view, either solution makes the original equation a true statement, and therefore both solutions are members of the solution set.\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "On the other hand, if you are using a proportion to solve a physical problem where the answer is a positive measure of something, then you would certainly exclude the negative root. On the other hand, you might have a problem that requires you to find a root that is less than zero -- hence you would exclude the positive root.\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "So, you tell me.\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "John \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " |