SOLUTION: If x + by = y, what are the possible values for x and b?

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Question 1117922: If x + by = y, what are the possible values for x and b?
Answer by ikleyn(52896) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
Let me reformulate the problem of the post in a Mathematical way:

     Find the set of all solutions to the equation  x + by = y,
     where y is an arbitrary real number.


Solution

The given equation is equivalent to x = y - by,   or,  which is the same

y*(1-b) = x.


    If  b = 1,   then  x= 0; 

    If  b=/= 1,  then  x = y*(1-b).


Answer.  In terms of pairs  (b,x),  the set of solution  is the set  { (b,x) | x= y*(1-b) },  for any given real number y.