A good friend is like a four leaf clover hard to find and luck to have

is there options? or is it random words?

explanation:

he believed that congress would be better not dealing with "lobbyists", or people who seek to influence (a politician or public official) on an issue, since historically, they had problems with these kinds of people. he thought lobbying produces benefits, but should be carefully monitored.

2018 means 2018 ce or common era

there have been other eras too including bce, which included way more years.

simplify brackets

8 - 2a - 7 = a + 40

simplify 8 - 2a - 7 to -2a + 1

-2a + 1 = a + 40

add 2a to both sides

1 = a + 40 + 2a

simplify a + 40 + 2a to 3a + 40

1 = 3a + 40

subtract 40 from both sides

1 - 40 = 3a

simplify 1 - 40 o -39

-39 = 3a

divide both sides by 3

-39/3 = a

simplify 39/3 to 13

-13 = a

switch sides

a = -13