Enter the values for [tex]$a$[/tex] and [tex]$b$[/tex] that complete the sum:

[tex]\[
\frac{3}{x}+\frac{5}{x^2}=\frac{a x+b}{x^2}
\][/tex]

[tex]$a=$[/tex] [tex]$\square$[/tex]

[tex]$b=$[/tex] [tex]$\square$[/tex]



Answer :

To determine the values for [tex]\( a \)[/tex] and [tex]\( b \)[/tex] in the given expression

[tex]\[ \frac{3}{x} + \frac{5}{x^2} = \frac{ax + b}{x^2}, \][/tex]

we need to rewrite the left-hand side of the equation so that it has a common denominator.

The first fraction is

[tex]\[ \frac{3}{x}, \][/tex]

and the second fraction is

[tex]\[ \frac{5}{x^2}. \][/tex]

To add these fractions, we need a common denominator. The least common denominator here is [tex]\( x^2 \)[/tex]. We rewrite each fraction with this common denominator:

[tex]\[ \frac{3}{x} = \frac{3 \cdot x}{x \cdot x} = \frac{3x}{x^2}, \][/tex]

[tex]\[ \frac{5}{x^2} = \frac{5}{x^2}. \][/tex]

Now, we can add these fractions:

[tex]\[ \frac{3x}{x^2} + \frac{5}{x^2} = \frac{3x + 5}{x^2}. \][/tex]

We want to express this as

[tex]\[ \frac{ax + b}{x^2}. \][/tex]

Comparing the numerators, we find that

[tex]\[ 3x + 5 = ax + b. \][/tex]

From this equation, we can see that:

1. The coefficient of [tex]\( x \)[/tex] on the left side is 3, so [tex]\( a = 3 \)[/tex].
2. The constant term on the left side is 5, so [tex]\( b = 5 \)[/tex].

Therefore, the values of [tex]\( a \)[/tex] and [tex]\( b \)[/tex] are:
[tex]\[ a = 3 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ b = 5 \][/tex]

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