Question

Create a list of steps, in order, that will solve the following equation.

Answer 1

Answer:

a = -3

Step-by-step explanation:

Solve for a:

2 (a + 5) - 1 = 3

Hint: | Distribute 2 over a + 5.

2 (a + 5) = 2 a + 10:

(2 a + 10) - 1 = 3

Hint: | Group like terms in 2 a - 1 + 10.

Grouping like terms, 2 a - 1 + 10 = 2 a + (10 - 1):

(2 a + (10 - 1)) = 3

Hint: | Evaluate 10 - 1.

10 - 1 = 9:

2 a + 9 = 3

Hint: | Isolate terms with a to the left hand side.

Subtract 9 from both sides:

2 a + (9 - 9) = 3 - 9

Hint: | Look for the difference of two identical terms.

9 - 9 = 0:

2 a = 3 - 9

Hint: | Evaluate 3 - 9.

3 - 9 = -6:

2 a = -6

Hint: | Divide both sides by a constant to simplify the equation.

Divide both sides of 2 a = -6 by 2:

(2 a)/2 = (-6)/2

Hint: | Any nonzero number divided by itself is one.

2/2 = 1:

a = (-6)/2

Hint: | Reduce (-6)/2 to lowest terms. Start by finding the GCD of -6 and 2.

The gcd of -6 and 2 is 2, so (-6)/2 = (2 (-3))/(2×1) = 2/2×-3 = -3:

Answer:  a = -3