Question

What is the value of a in the question below?

Answer 1

a= 5.7

Explanation:

Ok, when solving problems like this, it is important to do it step by step to minimize any mistakes.

Original Equation:

`(10a)/(3) -1.5=17.5`

Then we add 1.5 to both sides

`(10a)/(3) -1.5+1.5=17.5+1.5`

Simplify:

`(10a)/(3)=19`

Multiply both sides by 3 to get rid of the denominator in the left side.

`(10a)/(3) *3 = 19*3`

Simplify:

`10a=57`

Divide both sides by 10 to isolate a

`a = 5.7`

We can check our answer by plugging our value into the original equation!

Original equation:

`(10a)/(3)-1.5=17.5`

New equation:

`(10(5.7))/(3)-1.5=17.5`

Multiply the numerator:

`(57)/(3)-1.5=17.5`

Divide the fraction:

`19-1.5= 17.5`

Subtract:

`17.5=17.5`

as you can see, the values on both sides of the equation match.

So, a = 5.7