Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
The equation to solve for "a" is:
The first step is to convert all of them to same bases.
9, 81, and 27, all can be expressed in base 3, lets do this:
We can use the property: to simplify further:
The right side has 2 same bases multiplied, we can simplify this using the property:
Thus, we have:
Now, both sides have same base, so exponents would be equal. Now lets equate and solve for "a":
So,
a = -4