Anyone good at algebra?

[NoFixedAbode]

I am doing a maths course atm and really struggling, maths is not for me. I have been stuck on this question all day!

5
-(a-2) = 10
8

Can anyone point me in the right direction to solving of a.


Many many than in advance


Darren

[ghost2212]

Whats the equation? Can't understand it the way you've written it.

[Mark_T]

Not sure if I'm reading the formula correctly, but if so then a=18, check that and if it is it correct then I'll explain how to get there, if it is wrong then please present the formula a little more clearly :)

[JoeBailey]

Anyone good at algebra?

The equation if I got it right is

5/8x(a-2)=10

And if I'm right

5/8 is 0.625

So 10/0.625 = 16 + 2 =A

[Obi Wan]

5
-(a-2) = 10
8

5(a-2) = 10x8
5a-10 = 80
5a = 80+10
5a = 90
a = 90 divided 5

[B]a=18
[/B]

[JoeBailey]

Anyone good at algebra?

Hehe more then one way to skin a cat. :D

[Mark_T]

Since we all seem to read it the same way, this was my approach:

multiply both sides by 8 to remove the fraction:

5(a-2) = 80

divide both sides by 5

a-2 = 16

Add 2 to both sides

[B]a=18[/B]

[meggark]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]52734[/ATTACH]

[Planehazza]

[QUOTE=Obi Wan;945142]5
-(a-2) = 10
8

5(a-2) = 10x8
5a-10 = 80
5a = 80+10
5a = 90
a = 90 divided 5

[B]a=18
[/B][/QUOTE]

That's how I did it too.

[NoFixedAbode]

Re: Anyone good at algebra?

Brilliant! As you say Joe many ways to skin a cat. The penny has dropped....well nearly.

I am still a bit confused by the line...multiply both sides by 8 to remove fraction. I understand but......
5
-


If I times by eight that just cancels out the fraction and just leaves the numerator hence 5(a-2) = 80?

[Stanley Speel]

5/8x(a-2)=10

that is the same as writing

(5(a-2))/8=10

Expand the bracket on the numerator

(5a-10)/8=10

now multiply by the denominator to give 5a-10=80

add 10 to both sides : 5a=90

now divide 90 by 5 to give a... which is 18

so yes in short what you have said is correct 5(a-2)=80 : when you expand the LHS to give 5a-10=80 it is much easier to solve.

Tried to explain as thoroughly as I can hope this helps :)

[tourerjim]

Is that something to do with painting by number cos i can do that :emmersed:

[Si_B]

If you have something divided by 8 and then you multiply by 8 (effectively doing the opposite, or inverse in mathematical speak), you end up with 1. It doesn't disappear as such, but if you multiply something by 1 nothing changes. Easier to show than explain.

(8) x [U]5[/U]
8

Which would look like:

[U]8 x 5[/U]
8

The 8's cancel so you end up with:

[U]1 x 5[/U]
1

Which effectively just leaves you with 5. To balance the equation you must also multiply the other side by 10, which gives you

5(a-2) = 10x8

and someone else has already explained it from there.

[tonystevens]

Theres tumbleweed in our living room while i try to get my head round that lol ;)

[NoFixedAbode]

Re: Anyone good at algebra?

Thanx Stanley. I get it...just practice now to ingrain it.

Tell me about it Tony. I am two months in to my degree and I thought flying heli's was hard!