Question

(218-294:7) * a = 880

Answer 1

(218-42)*a=880
176*a=880/:176
a=5

Answer 2

$(218-294:7) \cdot a = 880 \\ (218-42) \cdot a=880 \\ 176 \cdot a=880 \\ \Rightarrow a= \frac{880}{176} \\ \Rightarrow \boxed{a=5}.$