SOLUTION: If a/b=a/c Why can't you cancel the numerators?

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Question 534442: If a/b=a/c Why can't you cancel the numerators?
Found 2 solutions by fcabanski, solver91311:
Answer by fcabanski(1391) (Show Source):
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You can. a/b=a/c Divide both sides by a/c thus:

(a/b)/(a/c) = 1 To divide by a fraction, multiply by the reciprocal:

(a/b)*(c/a) = 1 Cancel the a c/b=1 multiply both sides by b:

c=b.

If you initially cancel the a's then 1/b = 1/c Multiply both sides by b and both sides by c

c=b which is the same answer.

Answer by solver91311(24713) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

What do you mean by "cancel" the numerators? You can certainly divide both sides of your equation by and eliminate them that way.

John

My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it