What’s 3 times the difference of a and 4 gives you 40 in algebra equations

Answer 1

3(a-4) = 40

3a -12 = 40

3a = 52

a = 52/3 = 17 1/3

UNLESS maybe you really meant 3(4-a) = 40

then 12-3a = 40

-3a = 40-12 = 28

a= 28/-3 = - 9.333...

Odds are you want a =52/3