As with any "solve for" problem, you undo what has been done to the variable, in reverse order. Subtract 9, divide by 3, take the 5/3 power .. 3*(a +4)^(3/5) +9 = 36 . . . . . original equation .. 3*(a +4)^(3/5) = 27 .. (a +4)^(3/5) = 9 .. a +4 = 9^(5/3) .. a = 9^(5/3) -4 ≈ 34.9407