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jmc

algebra senior

Problem

In the line , the sum of the - and - intercepts is . Find .
Solution
The -intercept occurs when . Plugging in we have , so and . The -intercept occurs when , so we plug in to find , so and . We are given that . We solve for by multiplying through by a common denominator, which is . This gives , so . Cancelling a factor of we have , so .
Final answer
-56