Question

What is the solution to the equation -(5-(a+1))=9-(5-(a-3))?
a=-5
a=-3
a=5
a=3

Answer 1

it looks like there is a typo in this question, because there is no solution

Answer 2

-(5-(a+1))=9-(5-(2a-3)) ** sorry

Answer 3

@phi

Answer 4

in that case, I would use the distributive law to "expand" the expression.
Start with
-(a+1)

which means -1 * (a+1)
multiply -1 times each term inside the parens. what do you get ?

Answer 5

so i would multiply a=1 by -1 and 2a-3 ny a -1 also?

Answer 6

a+1 *

Answer 7

we don't know what "a" is
but to show multiplying by -1 we would write
-1 * a
(that means -1 times a)
we could simplify that to just -a (which is how people usually would write it)

Answer 8

what do you get for
-1 * (a+1)
?

Answer 9

a -1? i'm so bad at this. the numbers get tangled up in my head and i get confused.

Answer 10

Here is an example, using letters:
a(b+c)
which is a*(b+c)
the distribute law says: you can multiply "a" times each thing inside
in this case: a*b + a*c
or in algebra, we can leave off the multiply sign, and write
ab + ac

so we change
a(b+c) into ab+bc

try to do the same thing for this
-1(a+1)

the rule is: write -1 times each term inside the parens,
can you try ?

Answer 11

-(5-1(a+1))=9-(5-1(a-3)) so then it would look like this? or is that still wrong? sorry i can't get it :(

Answer 12

we are doing the problem

-(5-(a+1))=9-(5-(2a-3))

and we start by looking at only this small part:
-(a+1) (which is part of the left-hand side: -(5-(a+1)) )

and -(a+1) means
-1 * (a+1)

you should try to learn how to write down:
-1 times a and -1 times 1

Answer 13

the answer is -5

Answer 14

the answer is knowing how to show a= -5

Answer 15

yes but i dont get it! im trying to follow you and do the steps but its not clicking.