Question

How do you solve `-2a = 16`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

Divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(-2)` to solve for `a` while keeping the equation balanced:

`(-2a)/color(red)(-2) = 16/color(red)(-2)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(-2)))a)/cancel(color(red)(-2)) = (2 xx 8)/color(red)(2 xx -1)`

`a = (color(red)(cancel(color(black)(2))) xx 8)/color(red)(color(black)(cancel(color(red)(2))) xx -1)`

`a = 8/color(red)(-1)`

`a = -8`