JAMB - Mathematics (1998 - No. 18)
The binary operation \(\ast\) is defined by x \(\ast\) y = xy - y - x for all real values x and y. If x \(\ast\) 3 = 2\(\ast\) x, find x
-1
4
1
5
Explanation
x \(\ast\) y = xy - y - x, x \(\ast\) 3 = 3x - 3 - x = 2x - 3
2 \(\ast\) x = 2x - x - 2 = x - 2
∴ 2x - 3 = x - 2
x = -2 + 3
= 1
2 \(\ast\) x = 2x - x - 2 = x - 2
∴ 2x - 3 = x - 2
x = -2 + 3
= 1
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