Question

write an equation that represents the weights on the hanger.
2a + 1 = 9
how can you get 2a by itself on one side of the equation?
divide both sides by 2.
multiply both sides by 2.
subtract 1 from both sides.
add 1 to both sides.
hanger image with 2a + 1 = 9 shown

Explanation:

To isolate \(2a\) in the equation \(2a + 1 = 9\), we use the subtraction property of equality. This property states that if we subtract the same number from both sides of an equation, the equation remains balanced. Here, we want to remove the \(+1\) from the left side. So, we subtract 1 from both sides. Let's verify:

• If we subtract 1 from the left side: \((2a + 1)- 1=2a\)
• If we subtract 1 from the right side: \(9 - 1 = 8\)

So after subtracting 1 from both sides, we get \(2a=8\), which means \(2a\) is by itself on the left side.
Dividing both sides by 2 would isolate \(a\), not \(2a\). Multiplying both sides by 2 would make the left side \(4a + 2\) which is not helpful for isolating \(2a\). Adding 1 to both sides would make the left side \(2a+2\) which also doesn't isolate \(2a\).

Answer:

Subtract 1 from both sides. (The option: Subtract 1 from both sides.)