Question

17a+2=19
17a=17
Add 2 to both sides
Subtract 2 from both sides
Multiply both sides by 2
Divide both sides by 2
Apply the distributive property
a=
Divide both sides by 17

Answer 1

Start with 17a + 2 = 19.

1. Subtract 2 from both sides: 17a + 2 − 2 = 19 − 2 → 17a = 17.
2. Divide both sides by 17: a = 17/17 → a = 1.

So a = 1.
(Adding 2, multiplying/dividing by 2, or applying the distributive property are not the correct or necessary moves here.)