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
