Basic Math Examples

$3 a - 2 (a + 4) = - 7$

Step 1

Simplify $3 a - 2 (a + 4)$ .

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Step 1.1

Simplify each term.

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Step 1.1.1

Apply the distributive property.

$3 a - 2 a - 2 \cdot 4 = - 7$

Step 1.1.2

Multiply $- 2$ by $4$ .

$3 a - 2 a - 8 = - 7$

Step 1.2

Subtract $2 a$ from $3 a$ .

$a - 8 = - 7$

Step 2

Move all terms not containing $a$ to the right side of the equation.

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Step 2.1

Add $8$ to both sides of the equation.

$a = - 7 + 8$

Step 2.2

Add $- 7$ and $8$ .

$a = 1$