How do you solve #a/10=2/5#?

2 Answers
Mar 18, 2017

#a=4#

Explanation:

For this problem, we need to find the LCD (least common denominator). In this case, it is #10# as

#5 * 2= 10#

If we multiply the denominator by #2#, then we also need to multiply the numerator by #2#

#2 * 2= 4#

So

#a/10 = (2 * 2)/(5 * 2)#

#a/10 = 4/10#

#a=4 #

Mar 18, 2017

#a=4#

Explanation:

#color(blue)("Preamble")#

You need to manipulate the equation so that you have #a# on its own on one side of the equals sign and everything else on the other side.

The left side we have #1/10xxa# So if we can change the #1/10# into 1 we have: #1xxa# which is the same as just #a#
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
#color(blue)("Answering the question")#

Multiply both sides by #color(red)(10)#

#color(green)(a/10color(red)(xx10)" "=" " 2/5color(red)(xx10))#

#color(green)(a color(red)(xx)color(red)(10)/10" "=" " 2/5color(red)(xx10))#

But #10/10=1#

#a=4#