-3/2=-2a+1

Question

^{I need to solve for "a" I tried to solve it and I ended up with (2 1/2)/2=a. I don't know if that is right or not and even if it is I don't know what to do next.}

Answer 1

- 3/2 = - 2a +1

cross multiplyimg both side we'd have

 

( -3 * 1) = 2 ( -2a + 1 )

which gives;

 

-3 = -4a + 2

moves 2 over the equality sign and it become -2

we'd then have

 

-3 - 2 = -4a

which gives 

 

-5 = -4a

 

solving for a, divide both sides by -4

we'd have 

 

-5 / -4 = -4a / -4

giving

 

5/4 = a

 

Answer 2

Hi Ellie,

 

-3/2=-2a+1

subtract -1 to both the sides

 

-3/2-1=-2a+1-1

-3/2-1=-2a

 

-3/2-2/2=-2a

-5/2=-2a

 

multiply  by 1/-2 on both the sides to solve for a

 

(-5/2).1/-2=(-2a).1/-2

 

5/4=a 

 

 

Answer 3

(-3/2)=-2a+1

(-3/2)-1=-2a+1-1

(-5/2)=-2a

5/2=2a

(5/2)/2=2a/2

(5/2)(1/2)=a

5/4=a

Answer 4

Hi Ellie;

-3/2=-2a+1

Let's get rid of the annoying fractions.

Let's multiply both sides by 2...

2(-3/2)=2(-2a+1)

-3=-4a+2

Let's subtract 2 from both sides...

-2-3=-4a

-5=-4a

Let's divide both sides by -4...

-5/-4=(-4a)/(-4)

A negative number divided by a negative number has a positive result...

5/4=a

Let's check our results...

-3/2=[(-2)(5/4)]+1

-3/2=(-10/4)+1

-3/2=(-5/2)+1

Let's note the fact that 1=2/2

-3/2=(-5/2)+(2/2)

All the denominators are the same.  These cancel...

-3=-5+2

-3=-3