text: how do you solve a literal equation w/2 variables? x^2 - 6ax + 5a^2 = 0 can be factored to: (x - 3a)(x -2a)  but where do i go from here.  how can you solve both a and x if you don't know at least one of the variables?    i'm just learning this, so detailed answers are very much appreciated.  thanks! (x-3a)(x-2a)=0 (don't forget to do the whole equation), so x=3a or x=2a. this gives x in terms of a. if you want a in terms of x, get a=x/3 or a=x/2.