Hey, I got a problem it’s kinda hard for me so please help me

Question

This is what the problem says... a(8x + 7) and 4x + 3.5 are equivalent. What is the value of a? Show your work... this is really hard for me please help meeee

Answer 1

a(8x + 7) and 4x + 3.5

For an expression like ax + b to be equivalent to cx + d, the coefficients must be equal:

a - c

b = d

a(9x + 7) 4x + 3.5

8ax + 7a 4x + 3.5

that means:

8ax = 4x

a = (4x)(/8x)

a = 1/2

also,

7a = 3.5

a = 0.5