Question

How do you solve `2a-(11a-4)=2`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, remove all of the terms from parenthesis being sure to handle the signs of the individual terms correctly:

`2a - 11a + 4 = 2`

Next, combine like terms on the left side of the equation:

`(2 - 11)a + 4 = 2`

`-9a + 4 = 2`

Then, subtract `color(red)(4)` from each side of the equation to isolate the `a` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`-9a + 4 - color(red)(4) = 2 - color(red)(4)`

`-9a + 0 = -2`

`-9a = -2`

Now, divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(-9)` to solve for `a` while keeping the equation balanced:

`(-9a)/color(red)(-9) = (-2)/color(red)(-9)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(-9)))a)/cancel(color(red)(-9)) = 2/9`

`a = 2/9`