5(a + 2) -3(2a - 5) = 39
5a + 10 - 6a + 15 = 39
Combine liked terms
-a + 25 = 39
-25 on both sides
-a = 14
a = -14
Checking if a = -14, substitute it back into the equation
5(a + 2) -3(2a - 5) = 39
5(-14 + 2) -3(2(-14) - 5)) = 39
5(-12) -3(-28 - 5) = 39
-60 -3(-33) = 39
-60 + 90 = 39
39 = 39
Answer:
a = -14
