Question

How do you solve `2a + 3a - 6= - 21`?

Answer 1

`a=-3`

Explanation:

`2a+3a-6=-21`

`5a-6=-21`

`5a=-21+6`

`5a=-15`

`(5a)/5=-(15)/5`

`(cancel(5)a)/cancel(5)=-(15)/5`

`a=-3`

Answer 2

See the entire solution process below:

Explanation:

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

`2a + 3a - 6 = -21`

`(2 + 3)a - 6 = -21`

`5a - 6 = -21`

Next, add `color(red)(6)` to each side of the equation to isolate the `a` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`5a - 6 + color(red)(6) = -21 + color(red)(6)`

`5a - 0 = -15`

`5a = -15`

Now, divide both sides of the equation by `color(red)(5)` to solve for `a` while keeping the equation balanced:

`(5a)/color(red)(5) = -15/color(red)(5)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(5)))a)/cancel(color(red)(5)) = -3`

`a = -3`

Answer 3

The answer to this question would be -3.

Explanation:

First of all, you might want to start off by combining like terms.

In this case, the terms `2a` and `3a` are like terms so, you add them together which leaves you with the following:

`5a-6=-21`

After that, you add 6 to both sides.

`5a-6+6=-21+6` `->` `5a=-15`

Finally, divide both sides by `5`, which leaves you with
`a=-3`

Thus, the answer is `-3`

Hope this helps! :-)