First, we will look at the left side of the equation, which is #-7(a+6)+2#.
We will leave the #+2# aside for now.
We will distribute parentheses/brackets using: #x(y+z)=xy+xz#
In this case, #x# would represent #-7#, #y# will represent #a# and #z# represents #6#.
This means that #-7(a+6)# is equal to #-7*a+ -7*6#.
#+ -# is the same as #-# so the equation would be #-7*a-7*6#.
#7*6=42#
The whole equation now (including the #+2#) would be #7a-42+2#.
#-42+2=-40# so the equation now would be #-7a-40#.
Let's take a look on the right side now which is #8-3(6a+5)#.
We will leave the #8# aside for now.
We will distribute parentheses/brackets again using the same thing: #x(y+z)=xy+xz#.
In this case, #x# represents #-3#, #y# represents #6a# and #z# represents #5#. Don't forget that #+ -# is equal to #-#!
Since #x# represents #-3#, #y# represents so and so, the equation will be #-3*6acancel(+)-3*5#
#-3*6a=-18a# and #3*5=15#.
So, #-3*6a-3*5# is the same as #-18a-15#.
Now, we will add in the #8#.
Equation:
#8-18a-15#
We will group like terms:
#-18a+8-15# and #8-15=-7#.
The equation will now be #-18a-7#.
There you go! You simplified both sides. Now we can solve for #a#.
Whole equation:
#-7a-40=-18a-7#. Now we add #40# to both sides.
#-7a-40color(blue)+color(blue)40=-18a-7color(blue)+color(blue)40# which is the same as #-7a=-18a+33#.
Now we add #18a# to both sides.
#-7acolor(blue)+color(blue)18color(blue)a=-18a+33color(blue)+color(blue)18color(blue)a#.
Now we simplify it to be #11a=33#. Divide both sides by #3# and you get #a=3#.
