What was virginia's "gold" that ensured its survival and prosperity? cotton fur tobacco sugar?

The correct option is Tobacco

Tobacco was colonial Virginia's most successful cash crop. It formed the basis of Virginia's economy given the various ways it was used such as to purchase the indentured servants and slaves to cultivate it, to pay local levies and to buy manufactured goods from England

8 - (2a + 7) = a + 40     distribute/multiply - into (2a + 7)

8 - 2a - 7 = a + 40

1 - 2a = a + 40       add 2a on both sides

1 = 3a + 40         subtract 40 on both sides

-39 = 3a       divide 3 on both sides

-13 = a

[proof]

8 - (2a + 7) = a + 40

8 - (2(-13) + 7) = -13 + 40

8 - (-26 + 7) = 27

8 - (-19) = 27

8 + 19 = 27

27 = 27