A store is having a sale on hats . The sale is buy one hat , get one 50% off . The original price of one is 24.98 . Alex bought several hats . And the total cost is $187.34

50% of 24.98 = $12.49

24.98 + 12.49 = 37.47

187.34 / 37.47 = 5

5 x 2 hats = 10 hats

He bought 10 hats.

5=812a+9+3

step 1: simplify both sides of the equation.

5=812a+9+3

5=(812a)+(9+3)(combine like terms)

5=812a+12

5=812a+12

step 2: flip the equation.

812a+12=5

step 3: subtract 12 from both sides.

812a+12−12=5−12

812a=−7

step 4: divide both sides by 812.

812a /812 = -7/812

a= -1/116

so the answer is

a=   -1/116