7 over 8 times A equals 42?

Answer 1

Without parentheses, the question could be understood in 2 different ways:

1).
(7/8) A = 42

A = 42 / (7/8) = (8/7) x (42) = 48


2).
7/(8A) = 42

7 = 42 x 8A = 336 A

A = 7 / 336 = 0.02083 (rounded)