You can
put this solution on YOUR website! .
I don't know how to read it.
Is the left side a + (1/2) or (a+1)/2 ?
Is the right side 2a - (1/5) or (2a-1)/5 ?
Use parentheses systematically and properly to avoid ambiguity.
----------------
Comment from student : (a+1)/2 = (2a-1)/5.
My response. Ok, very good.
Multiply both sides by 10 to run off the denominators. You will get
5(a+1) = 2*(2a-1).
Simplify step by step and find "a"
5a + 5 = 4a - 2.
5a - 4a = -2 - 5
a = -7.
ANSWER. a = -7.
CHECK. At a= -7, the left side of the original equation is (a+1)/2 = (-7+1)/2 = -6/2 = -3.
the right side of the original equation is (2a-1)/5 = (2*(-7)-1)/5 = -15/5 = -3.
It confirms that the answer is correct.
Solved.
