4(2a+2)-17=15 what does "a" equal?

Question

what does "a" equal?

Answer 1

Hi Julia, for this equation:

First, go ahead and distribute your 4 to both terms within the parentheses.

 

4(2a +2) = 4(2a) + 4(2) = 8a + 8;

So, our equation now looks like this:

8a + 8 -17 = 15

 

Now, combine all you like terms on the left side;

8a - 9 = 15;

 

Add 9 to both sides to get 8a = something;

8a - 9 + 9 = 15 + 9

8a = 24

 

Now, divide both sides by 8 to get a:

8a/8 = 24/8; a = 3

 

Now, to check, plug a back into the original equation:

4(2[3] + 2) - 17 = 15

4(6+2) - 17 = 15

4(8) - 17 = 15

32 - 17 = 15

15 = 15