Final answer:
To solve the equation 3.2a - 16 = 4a, subtract 3.2a from both sides, then divide both sides by 0.8 to solve for 'a'. However, when checking the solution, it does not satisfy the original equation.
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve the equation 3.2a - 16 = 4a, we need to isolate the variable 'a' on one side of the equation. Here are the steps:
- Combine like terms by subtracting 3.2a from both sides of the equation: -16 = 0.8a
- Divide both sides of the equation by 0.8 to solve for 'a': a = -20
To check the solution, substitute the value of 'a' back into the original equation and simplify. In this case, substituting a = -20, we have: 3.2(-20) - 16 = 4(-20), which simplifies to -64 = -80. Since -64 is not equal to -80, the solution -20 does not check out.