What is the 'a' in 2a-7=20-a?

Question

What is the 'a' in 2a-7=20-a?

Answer 1

Well, you want to get your a's alone so you can solve for "a"

2a-7 = 20-a

+a          +a

3a-7 = 20

    +7     +7

3a = 27

divide each side by 3 so that you are solving for 1

3a/3 = 27/3

a = 9

Answer 2

9

Answer 3

A itself is a variable. If you're asking me to solve it, here goes.

Isolate the variable.

3a=27

If you'll notice, I added 7 & a to both sides of the equation. Now, divide by the coefficient.

a=9

Check.18-7=20-9

11=11

Answer 4

Add "a" to both sides.  This gets all of the "a" terms on the left.

Add 7 to both sides.  This gets the 3a by itself.

Divide both sides by 3. This solves for "a".

Answer 5

2a-7=20-a

* transfer like terms to the other side. Remember to change the sign when doing so

----  2a + a= 20 +7

----  3a=27

a=9--- final answer