Make x the subject of the formula in x/a +x/b=1

1 answer

To make x the subject of the formula x/a + x/b = 1, we need to eliminate the denominators a and b.

First, we can multiply both sides of the equation by the least common multiple (LCM) of a and b, which is ab.

ab(x/a) + ab(x/b) = ab(1)
bx + ax = ab
bx + ax - ab = 0

Next, we can factor out x from the left side of the equation:

x(b + a) - ab = 0

Finally, we can isolate x by adding ab to both sides and then dividing by (b + a):

x(b + a) = ab
x = ab/(b + a)

Therefore, x is the subject of the formula x = ab/(b + a).