How do you solve #a/2+ 1/5=17#?

Question

1596 views around the world

You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License

Answer 1 · 2018-04-15T15:23:33

#a = 168/5#

#a/2+1/5=17# Solve for #a#

1) Subtract #⅕# from both sides to isolate the #a/2# term
#a/2 = 16 ⅘#

╼ Same as ╼
#a/2 = 84/5#

2) Isolate #a# by clearing its denominator
Multiply both sides by #2# and let the denominator cancel.

#a = 168/5# #larr# answer

#color(white)(mmmmmmmm)#―――――――――

Check

Check by estimating

The problem says that "a certain amount" (namely, #a"/"2#) must be almost #17#
(It would be exactly #17# if you added #⅕# to it.)

Therefore the answer for #a # must be "almost #34#"

#a = 168/5 = 33# plus a little more

The answer for #a# actually is "almost #34#" so it's probably right.

#Check#