Question

Work out the value of a and b in the identity.
3ax + 6 - 4(x + b)= 11x + 14

Answer 1

a=5, b=-2

Explanation:

If you simplify the equation, you get:

3ax +6 -4x -4b - 11x - 14 = 0 =>

3ax - 15x -4b -8 = 0

group together x's and constants:

(3a-15)x -8 -4b = 0

To make this 0 for all x, we have to find an a such that 3a-15 = 0 and b such that -8-4b = 0. this leads to a=5, b=-2