【答案解析】Solve the given equation:

Add the fractions:

Multiply both sides by a:
3 = 12a
Divide both sides by 12:

**You can use TACTIC 1, Chapter 11: back-solve; try Choice C

, so the left-hand side equals 9. That's too small. Now, be careful." a fraction gets bigger when its denominator gets smaller [KEY FACT B4]. Eliminate Choices C, D, and E, and try a smaller value for a:
