To solve the equation \( S = a(x - vt) \) for \( t \), we need to isolate \( t \) on one side of the equation. This involves a few algebraic steps: first, divide both sides by \( a \), then isolate \( vt \), and finally solve for \( t \).
Step 1: Divide Both Sides by \( a \)
Given the equation \( S = a(x - vt) \), we start by dividing both sides by \( a \):
\[
\frac{S}{a} = x - vt
\]
Step 2: Isolate \( vt \)
Next, we isolate the term involving \( t \) by subtracting \( x \) from both sides:
\[
\frac{S}{a} - x = -vt
\]
Step 3: Solve for \( t \)
Finally, we solve for \( t \) by dividing both sides by \(-v\):
\[
t = \frac{\frac{S}{a} - x}{-v}
\]
Simplifying the expression, we get:
\[
t = \frac{-S + ax}{av}
\]