Solving equations involving Rational numbers???????

Question

3a+1 (divided by) 5 = 2

...please answer in STEP by STEP form because I dont understand AT ALL.

Answer 1

Assuming this is your question:
3a + 1
--------- = 2
.... 5

Start by multiplying both sides by 5 to get rid of the denominator:
3a + 1 = 10

Now this should be easy to solve. Subtract 1 from both sides:
3a = 9

Divide both sides by 3:
a = 3

As a double-check, plug this back into your original equation to check:
3(3) + 1
----------- =? 2
.... 5

10 / 5 =? 2
2 = 2 <-- check

So the answer is indeed a = 3.

Answer 2

(3a+1)/5=2

First, multiply both sides by 5 to get rid of the denominator.

((3a+1)/5)=2(5)
3a+1=10

Then, subtract 1 from both sides to isolate the variable.

3a+1-1=10-1

Then simplify the equation.

3a=9
a-3