What did suleiman of basra say about the porcelain of china?

The Chinese have 'pottery of excellent quality, of which bowls are made as fine as glass drinking cups; the sparkle of water can be seen through it, although it is pottery.

Explanation:

Suleiman is a merchant that was recorded in 851, in Basra, at the mouth of the Tigris, providing the quoted description.

The T'ang dynasty in north China produced Wares that had the characteristics of porcelain: thin, white and translucent.

Suleiman would become the earliest public record of a nonnative amazed by the fine Chinese ware.

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