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Solve the equation using the distributive property and properties of equality.

Negative 5 (a + 3) = negative 55

What is the value of a?
Negative 14
Negative 8
8
14

1 answer

To solve the equation \(-5(a + 3) = -55\), we will use the distributive property and properties of equality.

  1. Apply the distributive property: \[ -5(a) + (-5)(3) = -55 \] This simplifies to: \[ -5a - 15 = -55 \]

  2. Add 15 to both sides to isolate the term with \(a\): \[ -5a - 15 + 15 = -55 + 15 \] This simplifies to: \[ -5a = -40 \]

  3. Divide both sides by -5 to solve for \(a\): \[ a = \frac{-40}{-5} \] This simplifies to: \[ a = 8 \]

Thus, the value of \(a\) is \(\boxed{8}\).