document.write( "Question 236940: 5/X = X/20
\n" ); document.write( "Do I use the positive solution, the negative solution, or both?
\n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #174294 by solver91311(24713)\"\" \"About 
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( "\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "and\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\r
\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( "
\n" );