How do you solve #78=6(-6a-5)# using the distributive property?

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Answer 1 · 2018-03-26T20:27:39

#a=-18#

We want to solve #78=6(-6a-5)# using the distributive property

1) Distribute the #6# on the left-hand side and simplify

#78=6*(-6a)+6*(-5)=-36a-30#

2) Add #30# to both sides

#78+30=-36a-30+30#

#rArr109=-36a#

3) Divide both sides by #-36#

#108/-36=(-36a)/-36#

#rArr-18=a#

Or, rewriting in a more standard way,

#a=-18#