Solve the Linear Equation: Finding Variable 'a' in '8a + 2(3a - 7) = 0'

To solve the linear equation $8a + 2(3a - 7) = 0$, we'll proceed with the following steps:

Step 1: Apply the Distributive Property.
The equation given is $8a + 2(3a - 7) = 0$.
First, distribute the 2 across the terms inside the parenthesis:
$2(3a - 7) = 2 \times 3a + 2 \times (-7) = 6a - 14$.
By substituting this back into the equation, we have:
$8a + 6a - 14 = 0$.

Step 2: Combine Like Terms.
Now, combine the terms containing $a$:
$8a + 6a = 14a$.
The equation now becomes:
$14a - 14 = 0$.

Step 3: Isolate the Variable.
Add 14 to both sides of the equation to isolate terms with $a$:
$14a - 14 + 14 = 0 + 14$, which simplifies to:
$14a = 14$.
Next, divide both sides by 14 to solve for $a$:
$a = \frac{14}{14} = 1$.

Therefore, the solution to the equation is $a = 1$.