SOLUTION: The given equation is ax+b=bx-a^2. I need to solve for "a" this is what I have so far: ax+b=bx-a^2 a^2+ax = bx-b I think I need to take the square root of both sides but I'

Algebra ->  Square-cubic-other-roots -> SOLUTION: The given equation is ax+b=bx-a^2. I need to solve for "a" this is what I have so far: ax+b=bx-a^2 a^2+ax = bx-b I think I need to take the square root of both sides but I'      Log On


   

Question 619051: The given equation is ax+b=bx-a^2. I need to solve for "a" this is what I have so far:
ax+b=bx-a^2
a^2+ax = bx-b
I think I need to take the square root of both sides but I'm unsure. Any help would be great. Thanks:)
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The given equation is ax + b = bx - a^2. solve for "a"
a^2 + xa + b - bx = 0
the standard form
a^2 + xa + (b-bx) = 0
Use the quadratic formula
x+=+%28-b+%2B-+sqrt%28+b%5E2-4%2Aa%2Ac+%29%29%2F%282%2Aa%29+
where
x = a; a = 1; b = x; c = (b-bx)
a+=+%28-x+%2B-+sqrt%28x%5E2-4%2A1%2A%28b-bx%29+%29%29%2F%282%2A1%29+
:
a+=+%28-x+%2B-+sqrt%28x%5E2-4%28b-bx%29+%29%29%2F2+; about all you can do with it