Given,
16(a+xa−x)3=a−xa+x.
⇒(a+x)3(a−x)3×(a+x)(a−x)=161⇒(a+xa−x)4=(21)4 or (−21)4⇒a+xa−x=21 or −21
First Solving,
a+xa−x=21
By componendo and dividendo,
⇒a−x−a−xa−x+a+x=1−21+2⇒−2x2a=−3⇒xa=3⇒x=3a.
Now Solving,
a+xa−x=−21
By componendo and dividendo,
⇒a−x−a−xa−x+a+x=1+21−2⇒−2x2a=−31⇒xa=31⇒x=3a.
Hence, the value of x is 3a and 3a.