How do you solve #-8( a - 5) - 18= 22#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-04-20T21:08:50

See the entire solution process below:

First, eliminate the term in parenthesis by multiplying each term within the parenthesis by the term outside the parenthesis:

#color(red)(-8)(a - 5) - 18 = 22#

#(color(red)(-8) xx a) + (color(red)(-8) xx -5) - 18 = 22#

#-8a + 40 - 18 = 22#

#-8a + 22 = 22#

Next, subtract #color(red)(22)# from each side of the equation to isolate the #a# term while keeping the equation balanced:

#-8a + 22 - color(red)(22) = 22 - color(red)(22)#

#-8a + 0 = 0#

#-8a = 0#

Now, divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(-8)# to solve for #a# while keeping the equation balanced:

#(-8a)/color(red)(-8) = 0/color(red)(-8)#

#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(-8)))a)/cancel(color(red)(-8)) = 0#

#a = 0#