Hi solving 4(a-2)+3(2a+1)=5 1)Removing parenthesis 4a - 8 + 6a + 3 = 5 2)combining like terms 10a -5 = 5 3) isolating variable term on one side of the equation (adding 5 to both sides) 10a = 10 (dividing both sides by 10) a = 1