Basic Math Examples

$a + (a - 3) = (a + 4) - (a + 1)$

Step 1

Add $a$ and $a$ .

$2 a - 3 = a + 4 - (a + 1)$

Step 2

Simplify $a + 4 - (a + 1)$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1

Simplify each term.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.1

Apply the distributive property.

$2 a - 3 = a + 4 - a - 1 \cdot 1$

Step 2.1.2

Multiply $- 1$ by $1$ .

$2 a - 3 = a + 4 - a - 1$

Step 2.2

Simplify by adding terms.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.2.1

Combine the opposite terms in $a + 4 - a - 1$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.2.1.1

Subtract $a$ from $a$ .

$2 a - 3 = 0 + 4 - 1$

Step 2.2.1.2

Add $0$ and $4$ .

$2 a - 3 = 4 - 1$

Step 2.2.2

Subtract $1$ from $4$ .

$2 a - 3 = 3$

Step 3

Move all terms not containing $a$ to the right side of the equation.

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.1

Add $3$ to both sides of the equation.

$2 a = 3 + 3$

Step 3.2

Add $3$ and $3$ .

$2 a = 6$

Step 4

Divide each term in $2 a = 6$ by $2$ and simplify.

Tap for more steps...

Step 4.1

Divide each term in $2 a = 6$ by $2$ .

$\frac{2 a}{2} = \frac{6}{2}$

Step 4.2

Simplify the left side.

Tap for more steps...

Step 4.2.1

Cancel the common factor of $2$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 4.2.1.1

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{2 a}{2} = \frac{6}{2}$

Step 4.2.1.2

Divide $a$ by $1$ .

$a = \frac{6}{2}$

Step 4.3

Simplify the right side.

Tap for more steps...

Step 4.3.1

Divide $6$ by $2$ .

$a = 3$