Question

What is the second step to solve the equation
12-a=7?

Answer 1

ok, what is the first?

Answer 2

Many ways to do it; easiest is:

1. Subtract 12, get -a=-5
2. Mult by -1, get a=5.

Answer 3

You need to isolate the variable; so 1) subtract 12, you are left with -a=-5. Next, 2) Multiply by -1 to get a positive variable (so -a is a); this gives you a=5.