How do you solve -2+ \frac { a } { 4} = - 9?

1 Answer
Jan 27, 2017

See the entire solution process below:

Explanation:

First, add color(red)(2) to each side of the equation to isolate the a term while keeping the equation balanced:

-2 + a/4 + color(red)(2) = -9 + color(red)(2)

-2 + color(red)(2) + a/4 = -7

0 + a/4 = -7

a/4 = -7

Now, multiply each side of the equation by color(red)(4) to solve for a while keeping the equation balanced:

color(red)(4) xx a/4 = color(red)(4) xx -7

cancel(color(red)(4)) xx a/color(red)(cancel(color(black)(4))) = -28

a = -28