Question

Solving literal equations
ma=pn+ba, for a

Answer 1

a =
`(pn)/(m-b)`

Explanation:

ma = pn + ba

collect terms in a on the left side by subtracting ba from both sides

ma - ba = pn + ba - ba , that is

ma - ba = pn ← factor out a from each term on the left side

a(m - b) = pn ( divide both sides by (m - b) )

`(a(m - b))/(m-b)` =
`(pn)/(m-b)` ← cancel common factor m - b on left side

a =
`(pn)/(m-b)`