First, isolate the aa terms on one side of the equation and the constants on the other side of the equation while keeping the equation balanced:
3a + 13 - color(red)(3a + 8) = 9a - 8 - color(red)(3a + 8)3a+13−3a+8=9a−8−3a+8
3a - 3a + 13 + 8 = 9a - 3a - 8 + 83a−3a+13+8=9a−3a−8+8
0 + 13 + 8 = 9a - 3a - 00+13+8=9a−3a−0
13 + 8 = 9a - 3a13+8=9a−3a
Next, we can combine like terms:
21 = (9 - 3)a21=(9−3)a
21 = 6a21=6a
Now, solve for aa while keeping the equation balanced:
21/color(red)(6) = (6a)/color(red)(6)216=6a6
(3 xx 7)/(3 xx 2) = (color(red)(cancel(color(black)(6)))a)/color(red)(cancel(color(black)(6)))
3/3 xx 7/2 = a
1 xx 7/2 = a
7/2 = a