\[a - \frac{9}{16}a = 5\frac{1}{4}\]
\[a\left( 1 - \frac{9}{16} \right) = 5\frac{1}{4}\]
\[a\left( \frac{16}{16} - \frac{9}{16} \right) = 5\frac{1}{4}\]
\[\frac{7}{16}a = \frac{21}{4}\]
\[a = \frac{21}{4}\ :\frac{7}{16} = \frac{21}{4} \cdot \frac{16}{7}\]
\[a = \frac{3 \cdot 7 \cdot 4 \cdot 4}{4 \cdot 7}\]
\[a = 12\]
\[Ответ:\ a = 12.\]