How do you solve an equation with brackets?

If you are given an equation with brackets, one way to solve it is to multiply out the brackets. Follow the example below:

Solve the equation: 2(a + 5) = 16

1. Multiply out the brackets and remember that everything inside the brackets will get multiplied by 2.

2 × a + 2 × 5 = 16

You get: 2a + 10 = 16

2. Next, do the inverse of + 10, so subtract 10 from both sides.

2a + 10 - 10 = 16 - 10

So 2a = 6

3. To find out what a is you need to do the inverse of multiplying by 2 which is dividing by 2.

So a = 3