#s = (px)/d (d/2 - x)# Make #x# the subject of formula..?

1 Answer
Dec 4, 2017

#x = (-pd +- sqrt( (-pd)^2 - 16psd))/(4p)#

Explanation:

For starters, notice that your original equation can be simplified to

#s = (px)/color(red)(cancel(color(black)(d))) * color(red)(cancel(color(black)(d)))/2 - (px)/d * x#

#s = (px)/2 - (px^2)/d#

with #d !=0#.

The fractions present on the right side of the equation have #2d# as the common denominator, so rewrite the equation as

#s = (px)/2 * d/d - (px^2)/d * 2/2#

#s = (pxd - 2px^2)/(2d)#

Multiply both sides by #2d# to get

#2sd = pdx - 2px^2#

Rearrange the equation to quadratic form

#2px^2 - pdx + 2sd = 0#

At this point, you can use the quadratic formula to make #x# the subject of the equation. You know that for a general-form quadratic equation

#color(blue)(ax^2 + bx + c = 0 )#

the quadratic formula looks like this

#color(blue)(x_(1,2) = (-b +- sqrt(b^2 - 4ac))/(2a)#

In your case, you have

  • #a = 2p#
  • #b = -pd#
  • #c = 2sd#

This means that #x# will be

#x = (-(-pd) +- sqrt( (-pd)^2 - 4 * 2p * 2sd))/(2 * 2p)#

#x = (pd +- sqrt( (-pd)^2 - 16psd))/(4p)#

with #p !=0#.