Question

how can you get a by itself on one side of the equation? multiply both sides by 2. add 2 to both sides. subtract 2 from both sides. divide both sides by 2.

Explanation:

To isolate \( a \) (assuming the equation is of the form \( 2a=\text{something} \) or similar where \( a \) is multiplied by 2), we use the inverse operation of multiplication. The inverse of multiplying by 2 is dividing by 2. So, dividing both sides by 2 will get \( a \) by itself. Multiplying by 2 would not isolate \( a \), adding or subtracting 2 is not the inverse operation for a coefficient of 2 on \( a \).

Answer:

D. Divide both sides by 2.