Answer:
a = 59
Step-by-step explanation:
Note the equal sign, what you do to one side, you do to the other. Isolate the variable (a). Add 17 to both sides
a - 17 = 42
a - 17 (+17) = 42 (+17)
a = 42 + 17
Simplify. Combine like terms
a = 42 + 17
a = 59
59 is your answer
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Solve for a (this means they want you to get "a" by itself in the equation)
So:
a - 17 = 42 Add 17 on both sides to get "a" by itself
a - 17 + 17 = 42 + 17
a = 59
