How do you solve #5a-38=17#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-05-28T14:20:43

See a solution process below:

Step 1) Add #color(red)(38)# to each side of the equation to isolate the #a# term:

#5a - 38 + color(red)(38) = 17 + color(red)(38)#

#5a - 0 = 55#

#5a = 55#

Step 2) Divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(5)# to solve for #a# while keeping the equation balanced:

#(5a)/color(red)(5) = 55/color(red)(5)#

#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(5)))a)/cancel(color(red)(5)) = 11#

#a = 11#