Answer:
a = 4
Step-by-step explanation:
So your goal here is to get the variable on just one side, so add 4a to both sides. This cancels out the 4a on of of the sides and puts a on the other side. The new equation is 8 = -2a + 4a. Combine like terms to get 8 = 2a. Divide both sides by 2 to get a = 4. You can check your work by replacing a with 4:
8 - 4(4) = -2(4)
8 - 16 = -8
-8 = -8
Since the final result is true, (-8 does equal -8,) a = 4.
