Chapter 8.CM, Problem 1CM

To determine

To find:

Solve: $3a-6=a+4$

Answer to Problem 1CM

Solution:

The value of a is $5$.

Explanation of Solution

Addition: Two numbers can be added with each other and their sum is a new number. Addition is commutative, which means that the numbers order while the addition is being done not affecting the end result. This means that given two numbers $a$ and $b$, the sum $a+b$ is same as the result obtained by the evaluation of $b+a$, the obtained fraction being as demonstrated below:

$a+b=b+a$.

Subtraction: The two numbers difference can be calculated, but the result is not equal if the order of the numbers is changed. Given two fractions $a$ and $b$, the difference $a-b$ is not same as the result obtained by the evaluation of $b-a$.

Division: One number can be divided by another number giving a new number as a result. The result of dividing a number $a$ by $b$ is the number obtained by multiply the number a with the reciprocal of b. Reciprocal of a number is the resultant fraction when numerator is replaced by denominator and denominator is replaced by numerator.

Calculation:

$3a-6=a+4$

Subtract a on both sides,

$3a-a=4+6$

$2a=10$

Divide 2 on both sides,

$a=\frac{10}{2}$

$a=5$

Final statement:

The value of a is $5$.