Solve ax+(a+1)2=4

$$a x + ( a + 1 ) 2 = 4$$

Solve for a

$$a=\frac{2}{x+2}$$

$$x\neq -2$$

Steps for Solving Linear Equation

Use the distributive property to multiply a+1 by 2.

$$ax+2a+2=4$$

Subtract 2 from both sides.

$$ax+2a=4-2$$

Subtract 2 from 4 to get 2.

$$ax+2a=2$$

Combine all terms containing a.

$$\left(x+2\right)a=2$$

Divide both sides by x+2.

$$\frac{\left(x+2\right)a}{x+2}=\frac{2}{x+2}$$

Dividing by x+2 undoes the multiplication by x+2.

$$a=\frac{2}{x+2}$$

Solve for x

$$x=-2+\frac{2}{a}$$

$$a\neq 0$$

Steps for Solving Linear Equation

Use the distributive property to multiply a+1 by 2.

$$ax+2a+2=4$$

Subtract 2a from both sides.

$$ax+2=4-2a$$

Subtract 2 from both sides.

$$ax=4-2a-2$$

Subtract 2 from 4 to get 2.

$$ax=2-2a$$

Divide both sides by a.

$$\frac{ax}{a}=\frac{2-2a}{a}$$

Dividing by a undoes the multiplication by a.

$$x=\frac{2-2a}{a}$$

Divide 2-2a by a.

$$x=-2+\frac{2}{a}$$