How do you solve and check your solution given #-6=3/5a#?

1 Answer
Jun 9, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

Multiply each side of the equation by #color(red)(5)/color(blue)(3)# to solve for #a# while keeping the equation balanced:

#color(red)(5)/color(blue)(3) xx -6 = color(red)(5)/color(blue)(3) xx 3/5a#

#-30/color(blue)(3) = cancel(color(red)(5))/cancel(color(blue)(3)) xx color(blue)(cancel(color(black)(3)))/color(red)(cancel(color(black)(5)))a#

#-10 = a#

#a = -10#

To check the solution substitute #color(red)(-10)# for #color(red)(a)# in the original equation and calculate the result on the right side of the equation to ensure it equals #-6#

#-6 = 3/5color(red)(a)# becomes:

#-6 = 3/5 xx color(red)(-10)#

#-6 = 3/color(red)(cancel(color(black)(5))) xx cancel(color(red)(-10))-2#

#-6 = 3 xx -2#

#-6 = -6#

Therefore the solution is correct.