Question 56795
Describe what steps you would take to solve 8x+5=2x-7.
First we want to get the numbers with x's on one side of the equal sign and the numbers without x's on the other side of the equal sign within the rules of algebra.  What ever you do to one side of the = sign to accomplish that you have to do to the other side.
8x+5=2x-7  Subtract 2x from both sides:
-2x+8x+5=-2x+2x-7
6x+5=0-7
6x+5=-7  Now subtract 5 from both sides:
6x+5-5=-7-5
6x+0=-12
6x=-12  The x is being multiplied by 6, the opposite of multiplying is dividing, so divide 6 on both sides:
6x/6=-12/6
1x=-2
{{{highlight(x=-2)}}}
To check your answer, substitute x=-2 into the original equation and see if both sides =.
8(-2)+5=2(-2)-7
-16+5=-4-7
-11=-11  We're right!!!
Happy Calculating!!!