<s>[INST] How to solve an equation of the form $f(x)=f(a)$ for a fixed real a. I got stuck on this question: find all solutions $x$ for $a\in R$:
$$\frac{(x^2-x+1)^3}{x^2(x-1)^2}=\frac{(a^2-a+1)^3}{a^2(a-1)^2}$$
I see that if we simplify we get:
$$\frac{(x^2-x+1)^3}{x^2(x-1)^2}=\frac{[(x-{\frac 12})^2+{\frac 34}]^3}{[(x-{\frac 12})^2-{\frac 14}]^2}$$
From the expression $(x-{\frac 12})^2$, I see that if $x=x_1$ is a solution, then $x=1-x_1$ is also a solution. But in the solution to this exercise, it was stated that $x=\frac{1}{x_1}$ must also be a solution, and I don't see how.
[EDIT]
Ok, thx for the help guys. What do you think of this solution (doesn't involve any above precalculus math, and needs no long calculations)?
From the above we know that if $x_1=a$ is a solution, then $x_2=1-a$ is also a solution.
Also, from here:
$$\require{cancel}\frac{(x^2-x+1)^3}{x^2(x-1)^2}=\frac{\cancel{x^3}(x+{\frac 1x}-1)^3}{\cancel{x^3}(x+{\frac 1x}-2)}$$
in the expression $x+{\frac 1x}$ we see that if $x=x_1$ is a solution, then $x=\frac{1}{x_1}$ is also a solution, so $x_3=\frac{1}{a}$.
With these two rules we can now keep generating roots until we have 6 total.
If $x=x_2$ is a solution, then $x=\frac{1}{x_2}$ is also a solution, so $x_4=\frac{1}{1-a}$.
If $x=x_3$ is a solution, then $x=1-x_3$ is also a solution, so $x_5=\frac{a-1}{a}$.
Finally, if $x=x_5$ is a solution, then $x=\frac{1}{x_5}$ is also a solution, so $x_6=\frac{a}{a-1}$
The 6 obtained values are distinct, so they cover all the roots.
[EDIT2]
I guess this is answered. No sure whose particular answer to actually select as the right one since they're all correct, so I'll just leave it like this.
 [/INST] factorizing the given equation and cancel the denominators we get
$$(ax-a-x)(ax-x+1)(x-1+a)(-x+a)(ax-1)(ax-a+1)=0$$
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