You start by trying to get the variable on one side. (Note:whatever you do to one side, you have to do to the other as well).
3. Add 5 on both sides, which will give you a= -7 (don't forget the negative sign)
For question 4 it's a bit different (Note: when you see a number next to a set of parentheses, that means you have to multiply the number by the parentheses AKA Distributive Property)
4. After distributing the -4, you'll get -4x-8=-40...but you're not done quite yet.
Now we have to get rid of the -8, so add 8 to each side, which will give us -4x=-32
Next divide each side by -4(because the number next to x is -4), once you do that, it'll leave you with x= 8 as your final answer.
