1. **State the problem:** Solve the equation $3x a - 5y = 10 - 2$ and then solve the inequality $\frac{3x - 1}{3} < \frac{x + 7}{2}$. 2. **Solve the equation:** Given $3x a - 5y = 10 - 2$, simplify the right side: $$10 - 2 = 8$$ So the equation is: $$3x a - 5y = 8$$ The user mentions substitution steps but the exact substitution is unclear. We focus on the simplified equation. 3. **Solve the inequality:** $$\frac{3x - 1}{3} < \frac{x + 7}{2}$$ Multiply both sides by 6 (the least common multiple of 3 and 2) to clear denominators: $$6 \times \frac{3x - 1}{3} < 6 \times \frac{x + 7}{2}$$ $$2(3x - 1) < 3(x + 7)$$ Expand both sides: $$6x - 2 < 3x + 21$$ 4. **Isolate $x$:** Subtract $3x$ from both sides: $$6x - 3x - 2 < 21$$ $$3x - 2 < 21$$ Add 2 to both sides: $$3x - \cancel{2} + 2 < 21 + 2$$ $$3x < 23$$ Divide both sides by 3: $$\frac{3x}{\cancel{3}} < \frac{23}{3}$$ $$x < \frac{23}{3}$$ **Final answer:** $$x < \frac{23}{3}$$