What is

8.9 + 1.2(3a-1)=14.9 ?

multiply each term by 10 to make "nicer" numbers

89 + 12(3a-1) = 149

can you take it from there?

8.9+3.6a-1.2=14.9

3.6a=14.9+1.2-8.9
3.6a=16.1-8.9
3.6a=7.2
divide both sides by 3.6
a=2

To solve the equation 8.9 + 1.2(3a-1) = 14.9, we can follow a few steps. Let's break it down:

Step 1: Distribute the 1.2 to the terms inside the parentheses:
8.9 + 1.2(3a-1) = 14.9
8.9 + 3.6a - 1.2 = 14.9

Step 2: Combine like terms on the left side of the equation:
8.9 - 1.2 + 3.6a = 14.9
7.7 + 3.6a = 14.9

Step 3: Isolate the variable term by subtracting 7.7 from both sides:
7.7 + 3.6a - 7.7 = 14.9 - 7.7
3.6a = 7.2

Step 4: Solve for 'a' by dividing both sides of the equation by 3.6:
(3.6a)/3.6 = 7.2/3.6
a = 2

Therefore, the solution to the equation 8.9 + 1.2(3a-1) = 14.9 is a = 2.