Solve for the indicated variable (these require GCF)

Question

Ax+ay=5x-3

Answer 1

Are A and a supposed to be the same?

 

Let's assume yes and call it a.

 

Then ax + ay can be written as a(x + y).  The GCF (greatest common factor) of ax and ay is a, so you factor out the a and rewrite it as a(x + y).

 

 

a(x+y) = 5x-3

 

Divide both sides by (x+y)

a = (5x-3) / (x+y)

 

That's the solution for a.