Question

Add 3 to both sides to get rid of −3, so that 4a is alone on the left side of the equation.
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 \( \frac{1}{2} \).