text: what is the value of the variable "a" in the equation "a+1/a=5"? note: the sign ^ signals that the next number is an exponent given: a+1/a=5 >a=5-1/a (switch 1/a to the other side and turn it negative) >a(a)=a(5-1/a) (multiply both sides by a) >a^2=5a-1 (transfer 5a and -1 and change their signs) >a^2-5a+1 (quadratic trinomial-----factor it) >this is a quadratic trinomial...what are it's factors? >(factored form)>>>>>>>(a +/- ?) x (a +/- ?)=a^2-5a+1 (if it is 1/4 the ans will be -0.1875) it is either 4.791 or 0.209