Opening brackets 5×k -5×2- 8k=-34 multiplying ; 5k- 10 - 8k= -34 collecting like terms(6a and 7a is an example of like terms) here the like terms are 5k and 8k because both numbers have a common variable k. collect like terms ; 5k - 8k =-34 + 10 (be mindful of the signs, if a negative sign crosses the equality sign it becomes positive) : -3k = -24 since we are looking on the variable k, divide both expressions by the numerical accompanying k I.e -3(note the sign) -3k/-3=-24/-3(- cancels out - and 3 cancels out 3 in the first expression leaving k, then 3 divides 24 in the second expression giving 8) k=8