The given equation is .
Replace a in \ \
Choose a starting value using mental math.
\ and
so 1 is too low and 10 is too high.
Then a lies between 1 and 10
\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \
a \ | \
| \
Values of |
\
4 \ | \
| \
22 \ \ \ |
\
5 \ \ \ | \
| \
30 \ \ \ |
\
6 \ \ \ | \
| \
38 \ \ \ |
Since a = 6 makes the equation is equals is 6.
The solution set is 6.