If #8x+5(3+x)-a=15+5x#, then what is a?

1 Answer
Aug 4, 2015

#a = 8x#

Explanation:

Your equation looks like this

#8x + 5 * (3 + x) -a = 15 + 5x#

The terms that can be found on both sides of the equation can be cancelled out

#8x + color(red)(cancel(color(black)(15))) + color(blue)(cancel(color(black)(5x))) -a = color(red)(cancel(color(black)(15))) + color(blue)(cancel(color(black)(5x)))#

#8x - a = 0#

To solve this equation for #a#, you need to isolate it on one side of the equation.

This can be done by adding #a# to both sides of the equation to get

#8x- color(red)(cancel(color(black)(a))) + color(red)(cancel(color(black)(a))) = a#

Therefore,

#a = color(green)(8x)#