Solve -5(-2+6)=8(-a-9)

$$- 5 ( - 2 + 6 ) = 8 ( - a - 9 )$$

Solve for a

$$a = -\frac{13}{2} = -6\frac{1}{2} = -6.5$$

Steps for Solving Linear Equation

Add -2 and 6 to get 4.

$$-5\times 4=8\left(-a-9\right)$$

Multiply -5 and 4 to get -20.

$$-20=8\left(-a-9\right)$$

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

$$-20=8\left(-a\right)-72$$

Swap sides so that all variable terms are on the left hand side.

$$8\left(-a\right)-72=-20$$

Add 72 to both sides.

$$8\left(-a\right)=-20+72$$

Add -20 and 72 to get 52.

$$8\left(-a\right)=52$$

Divide both sides by 8.

$$-a=\frac{52}{8}$$

Reduce the fraction \frac{52}{8} to lowest terms by extracting and canceling out 4.

$$-a=\frac{13}{2}$$

Multiply both sides by -1.

$$a=-\frac{13}{2}$$