SOLUTION: pls help solve for x (x-a)^2=(x-b)^2

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: pls help solve for x (x-a)^2=(x-b)^2      Log On


   



Question 977261: pls help
solve for x
(x-a)^2=(x-b)^2

Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x%5E2-2ax%2Ba%5E2-%28x%5E2-2bx%2Bb%5E2%29=0
-2ax%2Ba%5E2%2B2bx-b%5E2=0
2bx-2ax%2Ba%5E2-b%5E2=0
%282b-2a%29x%2Ba%5E2-b%5E2=0
%282b-2a%29x=b%5E2-a%5E2
x=%28b%5E2-a%5E2%29%2F%282b-2a%29

a and b may be expected constants and unequal to eachother...
x=%28b-a%29%28b%2Ba%29%2F%282%28b-a%29%29
and so this step should be justifiable:
highlight%28x=%28b%2Ba%29%2F2%29