Question 135082
2/3a - 5 + 8/9a = -19
:
Assume you mean:
{{{2/3}}}a - 5 + {{{8/9}}}a = -19
:
Put the fractions over a common denominator, add 5 to both sides
{{{6/9}}}a + {{{8/9}}}a = -19 + 5
:
{{{14/9}}}a = -14; added like terms
:
9*{{{14/9}}}a = 9(-14); multiply both sides by 9 to get rid of the denominator
:
14a = -126
a = {{{(-126)/14}}}
a = -9
:
:
Check solution, substitute -9 for a in the original equation
{{{2/3}}}(-9) - 5 + {{{8/9}}}(-9) = -19
cancel out the denominators:
-3(2) - 5 -1(8) = -19
-6 - 5 - 8 = -19; confirms our solution.
:
If you meant the problem to be:
{{{2/(3a)}}} - 5 + {{{8/(9a)}}} = -19
That will be a whole new ball game, let me know if that is the case