Chapter 8.2, Problem 36E

To determine

To find:

The value of a that makes the ordered pair $(a,5)$ a solution of the given equation.

Answer to Problem 36E

The value $a=-2$ would make the ordered pair $(a,5)$ a solution of the given equation.

Explanation of Solution

Given:

An equation: $y=-3x-1$

Calculation:

To find the value of a , we will substitute coordinates of given pointin our given equation and solve for a as:

  $\begin{array}{l}y=-3x-1(\text{Given equation)}\\ 5=-3(a)-1\left(\text{Substituting }x=a\text{ and }y=5\right)\\ 5=-3a-1\\ 5+1=-3a-1+1\\ 6=-3a\\ -3a=6\left(\text{Switching sides}\right)\\ \frac{-3a}{-3}=\frac{6}{-3}\left(\text{Dividing both sides by }-3\right)\\ a=-2\end{array}$ .

Therefore, the value of a would be $-2$ .