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The solution for the literal equation |ax + b| = c for a is:

A) a = (c - b) / x
B) a = (c + b) / x
C) a = (c - b) / x
D) a = (c + b) / x

User Cbalawat
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The solution for a from the equation |ax + b| = c depends on the positivity of c. If c is positive, the solutions are a = (c - b) / x and a = (-c - b) / x, derived by considering both expressions inside the absolute value separately.

Step-by-step explanation:

The solution for the literal equation |ax + b| = c for a is not directly provided in the options you've mentioned (A, B, C, D). However, we can derive it. Considering that |ax + b| can be either ax + b or -(ax + b) when c is positive, we have:

  • ax + b = c, or
  • ax + b = -c

We will need to solve for a from both equations. As an example, if we isolate a from the first equation:

  1. Subtract b from both sides to get ax = c - b.
  2. Divide both sides by x to obtain a = (c - b) / x.

And if we solve the second equation by adding b to both sides and then dividing by x, the expression for a would be a = (-c - b) / x.

It is crucial to note the difference between the provided solutions and the correct derivation. The question seems to suggest a simple absolute value equation where c is positive and real, as we are solving for a linear equation, not a quadratic equation. The information provided about quadratics and substitution into the quadratic formula is irrelevant for answering this specific question.

User XTRUMANx
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