5(a – 7) + 11 = 2a – 3(a + 4)
5a - 35 + 11 = 2a - 3a - 12
5a - 24 = -a - 12
add a to both sides
5a - 24 + a = -a -12 + a
simplify
6a - 24 = -12
add 24 to both sides
6a - 24 + 24 = -12 + 24
simplify
6a = 12
divide both sides by 6
6a/6 = 12/6
simplify
a = 2