Question

How do you solve `a/10=2/5`?

Answer 1

`a=4`

Explanation:

For this problem, we need to find the LCD (least common denominator). In this case, it is `10` as

`5 * 2= 10`

If we multiply the denominator by `2`, then we also need to multiply the numerator by `2`

`2 * 2= 4`

So

`a/10 = (2 * 2)/(5 * 2)`

`a/10 = 4/10`

`a=4`

Answer 2

`a=4`

Explanation:

`color(blue)("Preamble")`

You need to manipulate the equation so that you have `a` on its own on one side of the equals sign and everything else on the other side.

The left side we have `1/10xxa` So if we can change the `1/10` into 1 we have: `1xxa` which is the same as just `a`
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
`color(blue)("Answering the question")`

Multiply both sides by `color(red)(10)`

`color(green)(a/10color(red)(xx10)" "=" " 2/5color(red)(xx10))`

`color(green)(a color(red)(xx)color(red)(10)/10" "=" " 2/5color(red)(xx10))`

But `10/10=1`

`a=4`