Verified Answer :

apologiabiology

combine like terms
ax+bx=(a+b)x
just like distributive property
3x+4x=(3+4)x=7x
just add the coefieicnets

allso, remember you can do ANYTHING to an equation as long as you do it to BOTH SIDES


7a-3a+2a-a=16
7a-3a+2a-1a=16

7-3=4
2-1=1
now we  have
4a+1a=16
4+1=5
now we have
5a=16
divide both sides by 5
5a/5=16/5
5/5a=3 and 1/5
1a=3 and 1/5
a=3 and 1/5


a=3 and 1/5 or 16/5

Crystal2323

Simplifying
7a + -3a + 2a + -1a = 16

Combine like terms: 7a + -3a = 4a
4a + 2a + -1a = 16

Combine like terms: 4a + 2a = 6a
6a + -1a = 16

Combine like terms: 6a + -1a = 5a
5a = 16

Solving
5a = 16

Solving for variable 'a'.

Move all terms containing a to the left, all other terms to the right.

Divide each side by '5'.
a = 3.2

Simplifying
a = 3.2