b is not equal to -c, a/-b-c = -5/c+b

Question

explain me how to think I have to slove by this method and options are (1). 5 (2). a

Answer 1

I think I understand what the equation is, but not sure what the options mean.  If you're trying to solve for a, you want to eliminate the denominators in the equation.  You can do this by noticing that they're just negatives of each other, and then factoring that negative out in the first fraction.  Then we can multiply both sides of the equation by (b+c), and end up with the following:

 

a/(-b-c) = -5/(c+b)  -->  a/-(b+c) = -5/(b+c)  -->  -a = -5  -->  a = 5

 

So if you have to choose an option, I guess I would go with 5.