Question

How do you solve `6 = a/4+2`?

Answer 1

In order to solve for `a` we need to isolate the `a` term.

Explanation:

`6=a/4+2`

That `a` term is stuck on top of a 4, so we need to get it by itself before we can do anything.

To do that we need to get rid of the +2. How do you do that? by subtracting 2 (or adding -2, which is the same thing)

But since it is an equation (meaning the two sides are equal) we have to do the same thing to both sides:

`6-2=a/4 cancel(+2) cancel(-2)`

so we are left with

`4=a/4`

To get the `a` by itself, we have to eliminate the `1/4`, a division, which we do by multiplying both sides by 4:

`4xx4=a/cancel(4)xxcancel(4)`

leaving

`a=16`