3a - 1 1/2 = -5 1/4
Cross multiply and solve for a.
I don't know how to do the problem.
Oops. Sorry.
3a - 1 1/2 = -5 1/4
3a - 1 1/2 + 1 1/2 = -5 1/4 + 1 1/2
3a = 5 1/4 + 1 1/2
3a = 6 3/4
a = (6 3/4) / 3
a = 2 1/4
To solve the equation 3a - 1 1/2 = -5 1/4, we need to isolate the variable "a" on one side of the equation.
First, let's simplify both sides of the equation. To combine the integers and fractions, we need to convert them into a common denominator.
- On the left side, 3a - 1 1/2 can be rewritten as (3a - 3/2).
- On the right side, -5 1/4 can be rewritten as (-5 - 1/4) or (-21/4).
So, the equation becomes: (3a - 3/2) = (-21/4).
Next, let's get rid of the fraction by multiplying both sides of the equation by the least common denominator (LCD), which in this case is 4.
By multiplying both sides by 4, we eliminate the fraction:
4 * (3a - 3/2) = 4 * (-21/4).
12a - 6 = -21.
Now, we can isolate the variable "a" by adding 6 to both sides of the equation:
12a - 6 + 6 = -21 + 6.
12a = -15.
Finally, divide both sides by 12 to solve for "a":
(12a)/12 = (-15)/12.
a = -15/12.
To simplify the fraction, we can divide both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 3:
a = (-15/3)/(12/3).
a = -5/4.
So, the solution to the equation 3a - 1 1/2 = -5 1/4 is "a = -5/4".