How to solve equations with variables on both sides?

1. Pick the smaller coefficient from both sides. In this case, 3x is less than 8x.
2. Subtract that from both sides. Notice that on the right 3x-3x leaves you with zero.

8x + 15 = 3x - 20
-3x             -3x

5x + 15 = 0 - 20

Can you take it from there?

Equation: 8x+15=3x-20
* First, you have to get the terms that are alike on both sides. ( Numbers with numbers and letters
with letters)
8x+15=3x-20  - To get the x on the same side, you would subtract 3x from both sides because what you do to one side, you have to do to the other.  (It's easier to subtract the smaller coefficient from the larger coefficient.)

So you have:
8x+15 - 3x =3x -20  - 3x
which results in:
5x + 15 = -20

You then subtract 15 from both sides to get the numbers on the same side so you end up with:
5x + 15 - 15  = -20 - 15

It then gives you:
5x =  - 35

Then, you have to get the x alone. The opposite of multiplying is dividing, so divide both
sides by 5 and you're left with:

5x divided by 5  =  - 35 divided by 5
or in short:


Your answer is x = - 7