Question

If the point (a,1) lies on the line y = 3x - 5, what is the value of a?

Answer 1

a = 2

Explanation:

Note that a point uses (x , y).

y = 1

x = a

Plug in 1 for y in the equation, and a for x:

y = 3x - 5

1 = 3a - 5

Isolate the variable, a. Note the equal sign, what you do to one side, you do to the other. Do the opposite of PEMDAS.

First add 5 to both sides:

1 (+5) = 3a - 5 (+5)

1 + 5 = 3a

6 = 3a

Next, divide 3 from both sides:

(6)/3 = (3a)/3

a = 6/3

a = 2

2 is your value for a.

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