Solve Equations with Variables and Constants on Both Sides: example 2.34

Solve: $7 a - 3 = 13 a + 7 .$

Work it out on paper first. Then open the solution one step at a time, and stop as soon as you can finish on your own.

Your turn

The book's Try It right after this example: same idea, new numbers. Only the answer is given.

Solve: $2 a - 2 = 6 a + 18 .$

How did it go?


Subtract $7 a$ from both sides to remove the variable term from the left.
Combine like terms.
Subtract $7$ from both sides to remove the constant from the right.
Simplify.
Divide both sides by $6$ to make $1$ the coefficient of $a$ .
Simplify.
Check:
Let $a = - \frac{5}{3}$ .


Subtract $7 a$ from both sides to remove the variable term from the left.
Combine like terms.
Subtract $7$ from both sides to remove the constant from the right.
Simplify.
Divide both sides by $6$ to make $1$ the coefficient of $a$ .
Simplify.
Check:
Let $a = - \frac{5}{3}$ .