Expert: Steve Holleran - 3/8/2008

Question

Your question was

I am trying to find the stationary points in terms of the unknown constant R:

2(x-1) - R{1/(x+y-1)^2 + 1/(1-x)^2 = 0

and

2(y-1) - R{1/(x+y-1)^2 + 1/(1-y)^2 = 0

I am getting completely bogged down in attemption to solve for x in terms of R and y and for y in terms of R and x.  

Can you help?


But this is outside of my expertise.

The simultaneous solving of two algebraic equations in terms of a variable is outside of your expertise?  and you clain to know basic math to calculus?  

Expert: Steve Holleran


Answer
Your question purports to find "stationary points" in this problem.
My experience with "stationary points" is in terms of Calculus, in which case they would refer to points where derivatives of functions are equal to zero.  This is certainly not what you are looking for here.  

Just because you feel this is an algebraic exercise does not mean that it is a topic I am familiar with.  After re-reading your question, I am still not certain as to what you are trying to do here.

You didn't explain what stationary points are in this context, nor did you indicate what level of algebra you are dealing with.  

In any case, there are lots of other "experts" here on this site, and on others, and you are free to send this question to them.  It's fine if you feel the need to sarcastically put my ability down in order to feed your frustration. I honestly make an attempt to try to work with questions I can deal with, in a specific time frame, and if I don't think I can, I let the questioner know.

Perhaps you need to go to another site, so they can help you with your "attemptions".