
Russ P. answered 11/23/14
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When you have a linear equation in one unknown variable, X here, collect all the X terms on the left side of the equal sign, and constant terms on the right side, and combine them on each side to simplify. Just remember, when you move any term across an = sign you have to flip its sign (because you are really adding its opposite to both sides of the equation). You don't really change the equation, only its appearance that helps you solve it for X. Also feel free to use parentheses to clarify what belongs to which term.
Thus,
X - (5/3) + 8 = (5/2)
X = (5/2) + (5/3) - 8 . Now to add the right side constants you have to have the same denominator, so
X = (15/6) + (10/6) - (48/6) , now you can factor out the common 1/6
X = (1/6) (15 + 10 - 48)
X = (1/6) (-23)
X = - (23/6)
Now you can check your work by plugging in that X value into the original equation to make sure it is true.
After you've practiced solving such problems, you don't need to write down all the steps that I did above to explain it clearly. Actually, you will do most of them in your head. So practice.