Solve for a. 4/5 – 8 = a + 2 a = __

To solve for ( a ) in the equation ( frac{4}{5} – 8 = a + 2 ), follow these steps:

1. Isolate ( a ): Start by simplifying the left side of the equation.

[

frac{4}{5} – 8

]

To perform this subtraction, convert 8 into a fraction with a common denominator. Since 8 can be expressed as ( frac{40}{5} ):

[

frac{4}{5} – frac{40}{5} = frac{4 – 40}{5} = frac{-36}{5}

]

2. Set up the equation: Now substitute back into the equation:

[

frac{-36}{5} = a + 2

]

3. Isolate ( a ): To solve for ( a ), subtract 2 from both sides. First, convert 2 into a fraction:

[

2 = frac{10}{5}

]

Thus, we have:

[

a = frac{-36}{5} – frac{10}{5} = frac{-36 – 10}{5} = frac{-46}{5}

]

So, ( a = frac{-46}{5} ).

In decimal form, this would