Let's solve the equation:
\[ \frac{5}{6} a - \frac{4}{5} a + 1 = \frac{1}{2} a - \frac{2}{5} \]
Brief explanation: We will group the terms with 'a' on one side of the equation and the constants on the other side.
Step-by-step solution:
- Step 1: Move all terms containing \( a \) to the left side and constants to the right side:
\[ \frac{5}{6} a - \frac{4}{5} a - \frac{1}{2} a = - \frac{2}{5} - 1 \]
- Step 2: Find a common denominator for the fractions on the left side. The least common multiple of 6, 5, and 2 is 30:
\[ \frac{25}{30} a - \frac{24}{30} a - \frac{15}{30} a = - \frac{2}{5} - 1 \]
- Step 3: Combine the fractions on the left side:
\[ \frac{25 - 24 - 15}{30} a = - \frac{2}{5} - 1 \]
\[ \frac{-14}{30} a = - \frac{2}{5} - 1 \]
\[ -\frac{7}{15} a = - \frac{2}{5} - 1 \]
- Step 4: Find a common denominator for the fractions on the right side. The least common multiple of 5 and 1 is 5:
\[ -\frac{7}{15} a = -\frac{2}{5} - \frac{5}{5} \]
- Step 5: Combine the fractions on the right side:
\[ -\frac{7}{15} a = -\frac{7}{5} \]
- Step 6: Solve for \( a \) by multiplying both sides by \( -\frac{15}{7} \):
\[ a = -\frac{7}{5} \cdot -\frac{15}{7} \]
\[ a = \frac{7 \cdot 15}{5 \cdot 7} \]
\[ a = \frac{15}{5} \]
\[ a = 3 \]
Answer: a = 3