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Mathematics 21 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

algebra 2

OpenStudy (anonymous):

OpenStudy (anonymous):

@agent0smith last one :)

OpenStudy (agent0smith):

Multiply both sides by (a+3)(a-3)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

then it cancels out the (a+3) and the (a-3), right?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

there are so many terms.. I think i got confused

OpenStudy (agent0smith):

\[\large a + 3(a+3) = a-3\]

OpenStudy (agent0smith):

Is what you'd get after multiplying by (a+3)(a-3) which is equal to (a^2-9)

OpenStudy (agent0smith):

Now solve for a, which is easy, and check the solution by plugging it in

OpenStudy (anonymous):

I keep getting stuck when trying to solve for a

OpenStudy (anonymous):

this is what i got: a=9

OpenStudy (agent0smith):

\[\large a + 3a+9 = a-3 \] 3a = -12

OpenStudy (anonymous):

so a=-4

OpenStudy (anonymous):

now to check it i plug -4 in for all the a terms in the original question?

OpenStudy (agent0smith):

Yep

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