Instead of using the distributive property to expand 0.25 x (16.60a + 12.20y) could you have first found the sum 16.60a +12.20y explain

Distributive property is the same as product of sum

So

0.25 (16.6 a + 12.2 y) = 0.25 × 16.6a + 0.25 × 12.2y = 0.25 [16.6 a + 12.2 y]

x = -4

step-by-step explanation:

- 20 - 4(x + 3) = 4x

=> -20 - 4x - 12 = 4x

=> - 32 -4x = 4x

=> -32 = 4x + 4x

=> - 32 = 8x

=> -32/8 = x

=> -4 = x

5=812a+9+3

step 1: simplify both sides of the equation.

5=812a+9+3

5=(812a)+(9+3)(combine like terms)

5=812a+12

5=812a+12

step 2: flip the equation.

812a+12=5

step 3: subtract 12 from both sides.

812a+12−12=5−12

812a=−7

step 4: divide both sides by 812.

812a /812 = -7/812

a= -1/116

so the answer is

a=   -1/116