Asked by Emily

if I was doing algebra and it was

3/5a - (-4)=5

would I first subtract 4 from each side since when you subtract a negative you actually add it?
Answered by Reiny
yes

did you mean 3/(5a) for your first term or (3/5)a ?

Can you see how easy it would be to change the meaning? That is why it is so important to use brackets.
Answered by Emily
(3/5)a
Answered by msp
First, subtract 4 from both sides (which you said above) then you have (3/5)a=1. Next, to get the a by itself, multiply both sides by the recripocal of 3/5. That leaves the variable by itself and gives you the answer. Be sure to simplify!
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