Question

Persevere if a 1b−1=51 and a−1b 1=11, find the value of ba. (hint: choose values of a and b for which the proportions are true and evaluate ba. ).

Answer 1

To find the value of ba, choose values of a and b for which the given proportions are true, then evaluate ba. Let's use a = 3 and b = 2 to solve the equations and find that ba = -594.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the value of ba, we need to choose values of a and b for which the given proportions are true and then evaluate ba. Let's start by choosing a = 3 and b = 2. Using the first proportion, we have 3b - 1 = 51. Solving for b, we find that b = 18. Using the second proportion, we have 3 - 2b = 11. Plugging in the value of b we found earlier, we have 3 - 2(18) = -33. Finally, evaluating ba using our chosen values, we have ba = 18 × -33 = -594.