There are several ways to start solving this equation. You can start by making sure there are only a terms on one side. Let’s get rid of the a terms on the right so there are only a terms on the left. What move can you make to both sides of the equation to get rid of the −a on the right, so that the a terms are only on the left, while keeping the equation balanced?

Question

3a−3=−a−2

Add a to both sides

Subtract a from both sides

Multiply both sides by a

Answer 1

To get rid of the \(-a\) on the right side of the equation \(3a - 3 = -a - 2\), you should add \(a\) to both sides of the equation.

This will keep the equation balanced and result in:

\[ 3a + a - 3 = -a + a - 2 \]

which simplifies to:

\[ 4a - 3 = -2 \]

So the correct move is to add \(a\) to both sides.