Verify the Fraction Equation: Is (a+c)/(b+a) = c/b True?

Question

Indicate whether true or false

a+cb+a=cb \frac{a+c}{b+a}=\frac{c}{b}

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's examine the problem first:

a+cb+a=?cb \frac{a+c}{b+a}\stackrel{?}{= }\frac{c}{b}

Note that the expression on the left side cannot be simplified, despite the fact that both in the numerator and denominator there is the term a a however, it is connected to the other term (both in numerator and denominator) and does not multiply it, therefore simplification - which is essentially applying the division operation which is the inverse operation of multiplication, is not possible, and therefore the current form of the expression on the left side:

a+cb+a \frac{a+c}{b+a}

is its final and most simplified form,

The term on the right side is:

bc \frac{b}{c}

Therefore the expressions on both sides of the (assumed) equality are not equivalent, meaning:

a+cb+a!cb \frac{a+c}{b+a}\stackrel{!}{\neq }\frac{c}{b}

(In other words, there is no identical equality- that holds true for all possible values of the parameters a,b,c a,b,c )

Therefore, the correct answer is answer B.

Answer

Not true