Question

Solve for x.
12x - 8 = 8x - 20

Answer 1

Subtract 8x from both sides, you'll get
4x - 8 = -20
Now add 8 to both sides
4x = -20 + 8 = -12
Divide both sides by 4
x = -12/4 = -3

:)

Answer 2

First subtract 8x from each side

12x - 8x - 8 = 8x - 8x - 20
4x - 8 = -20

Now add 8 to both sides

4x -8 + 8 = -20 + 8
4x = -12

Then divide both sides by 4

4x/4 = -12/4
x = -3

At this stage you should now check this is a solution by substituting it back into the original equation.

The left-hand side, LHS = 12x - 8 = 12(-3) - 8 = -44
And RHS = 8(-3) - 20 = -44.

So LHS = RHS and the solution is correct.