Question

What is "a" in this equation?

Answer 1

a = 2

Explanation:

1. Factor out an
`a` from
`12a-16a` to get
`a(12-16)=-8`

2. Simplify 
`a(12-16)` to get
`-4a=-8`

3. Finally, we divide -4 from each side to get
`a=2`

Answer 2

a = 2

Explanation:

12a - 16a = -8

Collect like terms...

-4a = -8

Divide both sides of the equation by -4 to isolate the unknown variable...

a = 2

Hope this helps! :)