Question #3127e

1 Answer
Jan 10, 2017

#b = (cd -ac)/(a-d-ac)#

Explanation:

The problem is that there is more than one term with #b#.

Remove the brackets:

#a(b+c) -d(b+c) = abc#

#color(blue)(ab) + ac color(blue)(-bd) -cd = color(blue)(abc)" "larr#move all 'b' terms to one side

#color(blue)(ab -bd -abc) = -ac +cd" "larr# Factor out 'b'

#color(red)(b)(a-d -ac) = -ac +cd" "larr# there is now only one 'b'

#color(red)(b) = (cd -ac)/(a-d-ac)" "larr# divide to isolate 'b'