Question

How do you solve `3a + ( - 3a ) + 12= 5a + ( - 3a ) + 7`?

Answer 1

See the entire solution process below:

Explanation:

First, remove the terms from parenthesis and combine like terms:

`3a - 3a + 12 = 5a - 3a + 7`

`0 + 12 = (5 - 3)a + 7`

`12 = 2a + 7`

Next, subtract `color(red)(7)` from each side of the equation to isolate the `a` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`12 - color(red)(7) = 2a + 7 - color(red)(7)`

`5= 2a + 0`

`5= 2a`

Now, divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(2)` to solve for `a` while keeping the equation balanced:

`5/color(red)(2)= (2a)/color(red)(2)`

`5/2 = (color(red)(cancel(color(black)(2)))a)/cancel(color(red)(2))`

`5/2 = a`

`a = 5/2`