Question 1192116
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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.



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<U>Comment from student</U> : (a+1)/2 = (2a-1)/5.




<U>My response</U>.  Ok, very good.


<pre>
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.


<U>ANSWER</U>.  a = -7.


<U>CHECK</U>.  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.
</pre>

Solved.