Componendo and Dividendo Theorems:

a c
If a,b,c, and d are numbers such that b and d are non zero = , then the following
b d
holds:
a+b c +d a−b c−d
1. Componendo: = 2. Dividendo: =
b d b d
a a+ kb c +kd b a a+kc
3. For k ≠ , = 4. For k ≠− , =
b a−kb c−kd d b b+kd

Componendo and Dividendo:

a c a+b c +d
= , iff =
b d a−b c−d
Problem Solving with Componendo and Dividendo:
a 16 a+b
1. If = , what is .
b 3 a−b
a c 2 a−9 b 2 c−9 d
2. If = , then prove that = .
b d 2 a+9 b 2 c +9 d
7 a−3 b 7 a+3 b a c
3. If = , prove that = .
7 c−3 d 7 c+3 d b d
3 x+5 y
4. If 3 x−5 y=2 x+ y , find value of .
3 x −5 y

x 3+1 x 3−1
5. Solve for x , = .
x +1 x −1
a−b b−c c−a
6. If x=
a+ b
, y=
b +c
and z=
c +a
then find the value of
1−x
1+ x ( )( 1− y 1−z
1+ y )( 1+ z )
.

( √ 3+ x+ √ 3−x )
7. If =2 , then find x .
√3+ x −√3−x