$\"\"$ $\"\"$

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The equation is $\"\"$ .

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Apply addition Property of equality: Add $\"\"$ to each side.

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$\"\"$

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Apply commutative property of addition: a + b = b + a.

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$\"\"$

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$\"\"$ (Apply additive inverse property: $\"\"$ ) $\"\"$

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To subtract the fractions denominators must be equal.

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Find the least common denominator (LCD).

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Multiples of 2: 2,4,6,8,10,12.........

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Multiples of 8: 8,16,24,32.........

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The least common multiple of 2 and 8 is 8.

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Rewrite each fraction with a common denominator of 8.

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$\"\"$

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$\"\"$

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$\"\"$ (LCM is 8)

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$\"\"$ (Add: $\"\"$ ) $\"\"$

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Check:

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To check the solution, substitute $\"\"$ in original equation.

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$\"\"$

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$\"\"$ ( $\"\"$ )

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$\"\"$ (Lcm is 8)

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$\"\"$ (Add: $\"\"$ )

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Compare the values, the equation is true.

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$\"\"$

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The value of a is $\"\"$ .