Question

2a+6a=-24what is a? and how do I get the answer?

Answer 1

add the like terms that are on the left, then isolate the variable (a) on the left by dividing both sides by .

2a + 6a = -24

    8a    = -24             added like terms (2a + 6a)

  8a/8  =  -24/8         divided both sides by 8

      a    = -3                simplified (8/8 = 1   and   -24/8 = -3)

Answer: -3