Solve -5(-1+a)=8(-a-9)

$$- 5 ( - 1 + a ) = 8 ( - a - 9 )$$

Solve for a

$$a = -\frac{77}{3} = -25\frac{2}{3} \approx -25.666666667$$

Steps for Solving Linear Equation

Use the distributive property to multiply -5 by -1+a.

$$5-5a=8\left(-a-9\right)$$

Use the distributive property to multiply 8 by -a-9.

$$5-5a=8\left(-a\right)-72$$

Subtract 8\left(-a\right) from both sides.

$$5-5a-8\left(-a\right)=-72$$

Multiply -1 and 8 to get -8.

$$5-5a-8\left(-1\right)a=-72$$

Multiply -8 and -1 to get 8.

$$5-5a+8a=-72$$

Combine -5a and 8a to get 3a.

$$5+3a=-72$$

Subtract 5 from both sides.

$$3a=-72-5$$

Subtract 5 from -72 to get -77.

$$3a=-77$$

Divide both sides by 3.

$$a=\frac{-77}{3}$$

Fraction \frac{-77}{3} can be rewritten as -\frac{77}{3} by extracting the negative sign.

$$a=-\frac{77}{3}$$