The first step would be to simplify both sides of the equal sign as much as possible. 8x - 5 = -3(3 - 2x) 8x - 5 = -9 - (-6x) 8x - 5 = -9 + 6x
Next, you would need to combine like terms on both sides of the equal sign to one on one side of the equal sign and one on the other. 8x - 5 = -9 + 6x 2x - 5 = -9 2x = -4
Now, all you have to do is isolate the x. To do this, you would divide both sides by 2. 2x = -4 x = -2