1. **State the problem:** Solve the equation $$8a - 12 = 2a + 12$$ for the variable $a$. 2. **Write down the equation:** $$8a - 12 = 2a + 12$$ 3. **Goal:** Isolate $a$ on one side of the equation. 4. **Subtract $2a$ from both sides to get all $a$ terms on the left:** $$8a - 12 - 2a = 2a + 12 - 2a$$ $$\cancel{8a} - 12 - \cancel{2a} = \cancel{2a} + 12 - \cancel{2a}$$ $$6a - 12 = 12$$ 5. **Add 12 to both sides to move constants to the right:** $$6a - 12 + 12 = 12 + 12$$ $$6a + \cancel{-12} + \cancel{12} = 24$$ $$6a = 24$$ 6. **Divide both sides by 6 to solve for $a$:** $$\frac{6a}{6} = \frac{24}{6}$$ $$\cancel{6}a / \cancel{6} = 4$$ $$a = 4$$ **Final answer:** $$a = 4$$