Add 3 to both sides to get rid of −3, so that 4a is alone on the left side of the equation.

Question

3a − 3
=
−a − 2
+
a
+
a

4a − 3
=
−2
+
3
+
3

=?

Answer 1

Let's solve the equation step by step, starting with the original equation you wrote:

1. The original equation is: \[ 3a - 3 = -a - 2 + a + a \]

2. Simplifying the right side: \[ -a + a + a = a \] Thus, the equation becomes: \[ 3a - 3 = a - 2 \]

3. Now, add 3 to both sides to eliminate the -3 on the left side: \[ 3a - 3 + 3 = a - 2 + 3 \] This simplifies to: \[ 3a = a + 1 \]

4. Next, subtract \(a\) from both sides to isolate \(3a\): \[ 3a - a = 1 \] This simplifies to: \[ 2a = 1 \]

5. Finally, divide by 2 to solve for \(a\): \[ a = \frac{1}{2} \]

So the value of \(a\) is \( \frac{1}{2} \).