3 - 1/8a = 1/4
The goal is to isolate "a" and its coefficient to make the simplification process easier.
Start by subtracting 3 from both sides:
3 - 3 - 1/8a = 1/4 -3
-1/8a = 1/4 - 3
Next, multiply 3 by 4/4 to convert it into a fraction:
-1/8a = 1/4 - [3 • (4/4)]
-1/8a = 1/4 - 12/4
-1/8a = - 11/4
Multiply both sides by -8:
(-8) -1/8a = - 11/4 (-8)
a = 88/4 = 22
Therefore, a = 22.
