Question: 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\ngiven: a+1/a=5\n>a=5-1/a (switch 1/a to the other side and turn it negative)\n>a(a)=a(5-1/a) (multiply both sides by a)\n>a^2=5a-1 (transfer 5a and -1 and change their signs)\n>a^2-5a+1 (quadratic Trinomial-----factor it)\n>This is a Quadratic trinomial...What are it's factors?\n>(factored form)>>>>>>>(a +/- ?) x (a +/- ?)=a^2-5a+1\n(if it is 1/4 the ans will be -0.1875)

Answer: It is either 4.791 or 0.209
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