When one qualified individual loses out to another because of race, ethnicity, or gender, it may be because
a. the washington ruling
b.19th amendment
c. the civil rights act
d. affirmative action policy

Letter D is the correct answer.

Affirmative Action Policies are enforced by entities through the legal system in order to provide equal access to education and employment for those women and minorities who had to deal with discrimination in the past. Nowadays, when one qualified person loses out to another equally qualified person because of ethnicity, race or gender, it is possible to be due to this policy.  

8 - (2a + 7) = a + 40     distribute/multiply - into (2a + 7)

8 - 2a - 7 = a + 40

1 - 2a = a + 40       add 2a on both sides

1 = 3a + 40         subtract 40 on both sides

-39 = 3a       divide 3 on both sides

-13 = a

[proof]

8 - (2a + 7) = a + 40

8 - (2(-13) + 7) = -13 + 40

8 - (-26 + 7) = 27

8 - (-19) = 27

8 + 19 = 27

27 = 27