Solve Quadratic Equation: 2x^2 - 3ax - 3bx + a^2 + b^2 + 2ab = 0

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The discussion revolves around solving the quadratic equation 2x^2 - 3ax - 3bx + a^2 + b^2 + 2ab = 0. Participants clarify that the equation can be rewritten as 2x^2 - 3(a+b)x + (a^2 + 2ab + b^2) = 0, which follows the standard quadratic form. There is confusion regarding the interpretation of the original equation involving fractions, emphasizing the need for proper notation. It's noted that the quadratic formula can be applied, but caution is advised due to the use of variables a and b in both the equation and the formula. Additionally, it is highlighted that x cannot equal a or b due to the original equation's structure.
Cycloned
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Need help solving some. I'll put up one for now.

a/b-x + b/a-x = 2

I'm just looking for how to solve it, because I always reach

2x^2 - 3ax - 3bx + a^2 + b^2 + 2ab = 0

and get stuck. Please show me your steps.

Thanks!
 
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2x^2 - 3ax - 3bx + a^2 + b^2 + 2ab = 0

That = 2x^2 -3(a+b)x + (a^2 + 2ab + b^2) = 0

Do you know the quadratic equation?
 
I know quadratic equations, but I'm getting stuck here, because I do not know how to solve for x.

I did establish the fact that 2x^2 -3(a+b)x + (a^2 + 2ab + b^2) = 0
is correct because it follows ax^2 + bx + c.

Could you please help me out?
 
Cycloned said:
Need help solving some. I'll put up one for now.

a/b-x + b/a-x = 2
What this means is probably different from what you intended. When you write fractions in a single line of text, use parentheses if the numerator or denominator have more than one term.

What you wrote would be interpreted as this:
\frac{a}{b - x} + \frac{b}{a - x} = 2
Cycloned said:
I'm just looking for how to solve it, because I always reach

2x^2 - 3ax - 3bx + a^2 + b^2 + 2ab = 0
I get something different - different coefficients for the two terms in x, and different signs for the a^2 and b^2 terms. Check your work.
Cycloned said:
and get stuck. Please show me your steps.

Thanks!
 
l'Hôpital said:
That = 2x^2 -3(a+b)x + (a^2 + 2ab + b^2) = 0

Do you know the quadratic equation?

2x^2 -3(a+b)x + (a^2 + 2ab + b^2) = 0 IS a quadratic equation. The question should be: Do you know the quadratic formula?

The quadratic formula gives solutions to the equation ax^2 + bx + c = 0. Since both the quadratic formula and the equation above use a and b, be careful in what you call a, b, and c in the quadratic formula.

As already noted, some of the coefficients in the OP's equation are incorrect.

Also, since the equation in the original post involved division by a - x and b - x, it should be stated explicitly that x can't be a, and x can't be b.
 
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