5x - 8a + 4a - 2x + a

Question

5x - 8a + 4a - 2x + a

Answer 1

Here, all you have to do is combine like terms:

     5x - 8a + 4a - 2x + a     ===>     5x - 2x - 8a + 4a + a     ===>     3x - 3a 

Thus, your answer is:     3x - 3a     OR     3(x - a)

Answer 2

5x-8a+4a-2x+a

I start by underlining the corresponding letters, then combining.

-8a+4a=-4a

-4a+a=-3a Done with A's

Now 5x-2x=3x done with x's so that leaves you with 3x-3a

 

So