Simplifying 2a + -16 = a + -8 Reorder the terms: -16 + 2a = a + -8 Reorder the terms: -16 + 2a = -8 + a Solving -16 + 2a = -8 + a Solving for variable 'a'. Move all terms containing a to the left, all other terms to the right. Add '-1a' to each side of the equation. -16 + 2a + -1a = -8 + a + -1a Combine like terms: 2a + -1a = 1a -16 + 1a = -8 + a + -1a Combine like terms: a + -1a = 0 -16 + 1a = -8 + 0 -16 + 1a = -8 Add '16' to each side of the equation. -16 + 16 + 1a = -8 + 16 Combine like terms: -16 + 16 = 0 0 + 1a = -8 + 16 1a = -8 + 16 Combine like terms: -8 + 16 = 8 1a = 8 Divide each side by '1'. a = 8 Simplifying a = 8.