Chapter 2 - Solving Equations - 2-4 Solving Equations With Variables on Both Sides - Practice and Problem-Solving Exercises - Page 106: 23

$a=-37$

$ 7(6-2a)=5(-3a+1) \\\\ 42-14a=-15a+5 \\\\ 42+a=5 \\\\ a=-37$ We first use the distributive property on both sides of the equation to simplify. We then add 15a to both sides. Next, we subtract by 42 on both sides to get that a=-37. We plug -37 in for a and confirm that our answer is, indeed, correct.