Question

How do you solve `\frac{6}{4} = \frac{a + 17}{12}`?

Answer 1

The solution is `a = 1`.

Explanation:

This is a proportion, so to begin to solve it, you must cross multiply. This will give you an equation which can be solved normally.

`6/4 = (a + 17)/12`
`6(12) = 4(a + 17)`
`72 = 4a + 68`
`72 - 68 = 4a + 68 - 68`
`4 = 4a`
`4/4 = 4a/4`
`1 = a`