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avatar+972 

Real numbers a and b satisfy
a + ab = 250
a - ab = -240
Enter all possible values of a, separated by commas.

 Jul 21, 2024
 #1
avatar+1952 
+1

We could isolate a from the first equation and get a=2501+b before plugging it into the second equation, but let's do something simpler. 

Adding the first and the secone equation, we get

2a=10a=5

 

Plugging this in for b, we get

a=5,b=49

 

So, our final answer is 5. 

 

Thanks! :)

 

*1200 points

 Jul 21, 2024
edited by NotThatSmart  Jul 21, 2024
edited by NotThatSmart  Jul 21, 2024
 #2
avatar+122 
+1

(a + ab) + (a - ab) ==> 250 + (-240)

2a ==> 10

a=5

 

solve it from here by plugging in a=5 into the equation. smiley

 Jul 22, 2024

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