# Math Help - algebraic equation

1. ## algebraic equation

Help solve for a - the denominators confuse me

10 = 121a + 53.0563 - 242a - [ a (22a/2a - 4.8233/2a)^2 + (22a/2a - 4.8233/2a) * (4.8233-22a)]

show working steps please

2. Hello, bubbles73!

Your IMG doesn't show up . . .

10 = 121a + 53.0563 - 242a - [ a (22a/2a - 4.8233/2a)^2 + (22a/2a - 4.8233/2a) * (4.8233-22a)]
The way you typed it, it would be:

$10 \;=\;121a + 53.0563 - 242a - \bigg[a\left(\frac{22a}{2a} - \frac{4.8233}{2a}\right)^2 +$ $\left(\frac{22a}{2a} - \frac{4.8233}{2a}\right)(4.8233 - 22a)\bigg]$

Is that correct?
. .
They should have reduced or simplified the fractions!

We have: . $10 \;=\;121a - 11(22a - 4.8233) - \bigg[a\left(\frac{22a - 4.8233}{2a}\right)^2 - \left(\frac{22a-4.8233}{2a}\right)(22a - 4.8233)\bigg]$

. . and that recurring binomial makes me suspicious . . .

3. Originally Posted by bubbles73
Help solve for a - the denominators confuse me

10 = 121a + 53.0563 - 242a - [ a (22a/2a - 4.8233/2a)^2 + (22a/2a - 4.8233/2a) * (4.8233-22a)]

show working steps please
I'm confused by the writing of the equation: Is the denominator (2a) or is it a simple 2?

In general: Expand the innermost brackets first, collect like terms, etc.
I've attached the solutions of both cases.