4a^2-8a-5=0

Solution for 4a^2-8a-5=0 equation:

Simplifying
4a2 + -8a + -5 = 0

Reorder the terms:
-5 + -8a + 4a2 = 0

Solving
-5 + -8a + 4a2 = 0

Solving for variable 'a'.

Factor a trinomial.
(-1 + -2a)(5 + -2a) = 0

Subproblem 1
Set the factor '(-1 + -2a)' equal to zero and attempt to solve:

Simplifying
-1 + -2a = 0

Solving
-1 + -2a = 0

Move all terms containing a to the left, all other terms to the right.

Add '1' to each side of the equation.
-1 + 1 + -2a = 0 + 1

Combine like terms: -1 + 1 = 0
0 + -2a = 0 + 1
-2a = 0 + 1

Combine like terms: 0 + 1 = 1
-2a = 1

Divide each side by '-2'.
a = -0.5

Simplifying
a = -0.5
Subproblem 2
Set the factor '(5 + -2a)' equal to zero and attempt to solve:

Simplifying
5 + -2a = 0

Solving
5 + -2a = 0

Move all terms containing a to the left, all other terms to the right.

Add '-5' to each side of the equation.
5 + -5 + -2a = 0 + -5

Combine like terms: 5 + -5 = 0
0 + -2a = 0 + -5
-2a = 0 + -5

Combine like terms: 0 + -5 = -5
-2a = -5

Divide each side by '-2'.
a = 2.5

Simplifying
a = 2.5
Solution
a = {-0.5, 2.5}