Question

The equation 24x2+25x−47ax−2=−8x−3−53ax−2 is true for all values of x≠2a, where a is a constant.

What is the value of a?

Answer 1

24x2+25x−47=(−8x−3)(ax−2)−53

You should then multiply (−8x−3) and (ax−2)using FOIL.

24x2+25x−47=−8ax2−3ax+16x+6−53

Then, reduce on the right side of the equation

24x2+25x−47=−8ax2−3ax+16x−47

Since the coefficients of the x2-term have to be equal on both sides of the equation, −8a=24, or a=−3.