SOLUTION: I believe that you start in the parenthesis first and then work to the brackets, but I'm still confused on where to start distributing. I tried to start it but i dont know how to f

Algebra ->  Linear-equations -> SOLUTION: I believe that you start in the parenthesis first and then work to the brackets, but I'm still confused on where to start distributing. I tried to start it but i dont know how to f      Log On


   

Question 254707: I believe that you start in the parenthesis first and then work to the brackets, but I'm still confused on where to start distributing. I tried to start it but i dont know how to finish it.
8a=15(8a-[a+(8a-5)])+2
8a(8a^2-5a)
15(64a^3-40a^2)+2
960a^3-600+2
8a=960a^3-598.....and i know you divide but I get lost here
Answer by drk(1908) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
We start with the expression as
8a=15%288a-%28a%2B%288a-5%29%29%29%2B2
step 1 - take away (_) around 8a-5 to get
8a=15%288a-%28a%2B8a-5%29%29%2B2
combine like terms a + 8a - 5 to get
8a=15%288a-%289a-5%29%29%2B2
step 3 - distribute the (-) into 9a-5 to get
8a=15%288a-9a%2B5%29%2B2
step 4 - combine like terms 8a - 9a + 5 to get
8a=15%28-1a%2B5%29%2B2
step 5 - now distribute the 15 to get
8a=-15a%2B75%2B2
step 6 - combine like terms -15a+75 + 2 to get
8a=-15a%2B77
step 7 - add 15a to both sides to get
23a+=+77
divide by 23 to get
a = 77/23.