Question

What is the value of a?
-2(a - 8) + 6a = 36

Answer 1

     -2(a - 8) + 6a = 36
-2(a) + 2(8) + 6a = 36
     -2a + 16 + 6a = 36
     -2a + 6a + 16 = 36
              4a + 16 = 36
                    - 16  - 16
                       4a = 20
                        4      4
                          a = 5

Answer 2

Distribute -2

-2a + 16 + 6a = 36

Add like terms.

4a + 16 = 36

Factor out 4

4(a+4) = 36

Divide both sides by 4

a + 4 = 9

Subtract 4 on both sides

a = 5