Solve for a 16-5a+2a-1=41-a

$16 - 5 a + 2 a - 1 = 41 - a$

Step 1

Simplify $16 - 5 a + 2 a - 1$ .

Subtract $1$ from $16$ .

$- 5 a + 2 a + 15 = 41 - a$

Add $- 5 a$ and $2 a$ .

$- 3 a + 15 = 41 - a$

Step 2

Move all terms containing $a$ to the left side of the equation.

Add $a$ to both sides of the equation.

$- 3 a + 15 + a = 41$

Add $- 3 a$ and $a$ .

$- 2 a + 15 = 41$

Step 3

Move all terms not containing $a$ to the right side of the equation.

Subtract $15$ from both sides of the equation.

$- 2 a = 41 - 15$

Subtract $15$ from $41$ .

$- 2 a = 26$

Step 4

Divide each term in $- 2 a = 26$ by $- 2$ and simplify.

Divide each term in $- 2 a = 26$ by $- 2$ .

$\frac{- 2 a}{- 2} = \frac{26}{- 2}$

Simplify the left side.

Cancel the common factor of $- 2$ .

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{- 2 a}{- 2} = \frac{26}{- 2}$

Divide $a$ by $1$ .

$a = \frac{26}{- 2}$

Simplify the right side.

Divide $26$ by $- 2$ .

$a = - 13$