Question

Please solve for a

Answer 1

Distributive  property says 4 * a and 4 * -1 so 4a - 4 - 5 = 3a + 7
Now do the simple subtraction
-4 - 5 = -9
Then add 9 and subtract 3a Remember: Always do the opposite operation to both
sides. So you have a = 16

Answer 2

$4\cdot(a-1)-5=3a+7\\\\4\cdot a-4\cdot1-5=3a+7\\\\4a-4-5=3a+7\\\\4a-9=3a+7\ \ \ /+9\\\\4a-9+9=3a+7+9\\\\4a=3a+16\ \ \ \ /-3a\\\\4a-3a=3a-3a+16\\\\a=16$