Question

How do you solve `5(a-1)-15=3(a+2)+4`?

Answer 1

`a=15`

Explanation:

First, use the distributive property on the parentheses and combine like terms
`5(a-1)-15=3(a+2)+4`
`5a-5-15=3a+6+4`
`5a-20=3a+10`

Then, subtract 3a from both sides
`2a-20=10`

Finally, solve for a
`2a-20=10`
`a=15`

Now that we know what a is, we can substitute for a in the original equation
`5(15-1)-15=3(15+2)+4`
`75-5-15=45+6+4`
`55=55` (correct)

We can now conclude that a is equal to 15