How do you solve for a in sa=2ab+2ac+2bc ?

1 Answer
Feb 26, 2016

a=(2bc)/(s-2b-2c)

Explanation:

First, get all the terms with a onto the same side of the equation.

Here, I'll subtract 2ab and 2ac from both sides of the equation so that all the terms with a are on the left-hand side.

sa-2ab-2ac=2bc

Factor a from every time on the right hand side.

a(s-2b-2c)=2bc

Divide both sides by s-2b-2c.

a=(2bc)/(s-2b-2c)

This is as simplified as possible. Resist the urge to try to break apart the denominator--that's not allowed.