1 The ages of three cats are a, a + 4 and 2a - 3.
Their total age is 21. Determine a.
?

a = 5

Step-by-step explanation:

a +a+4 + 2a-3 = 21

4a +1 =21

4a = 20

a = 5

6 spoons of sugar for every 21 cups of flour

step-by-step explanation:

x = ±sqrt(10)

step-by-step explanation:

5 - 2x² = -15

subtract 5 from each side

5-5 - 2x² = -15-5

-2x^2   = -20

divide by -2 on each side

-2x^2   /-2= -20/-2

x^2 =10

take the square root on each side

sqrt(x^2 )=±sqrt(10)

x = ±sqrt(10)

check:

5 - 2x² = -15

+sqrt(10)

5 - 2(sqrt(10))² = -15

5 -2(10) = -15

5 -20 = -15

-15 = -15

-sqrt(10)

5 - 2(-sqrt(10))² = -15

5 -2(10) = -15

5 -20 = -15

-15 = -15