1) You have to try to get z by itself, so that means isolating 7 and 5.
5z + 7 = 32 5z - 7 - 7 ---------------- 5z = 25
2) Whatever you do to one side, you do to the other. So you subtracted 7 to 7 to isolate 7, and you would subtract 7 to 32 as well. And that will leave you with 5z = 25.
3) Whenever there are a number and a variable next to it, it symbolizes multiplication. (5 x z = 5z) So in order to isolate 5z without taking away your variable, you would have to divide 5 from 5, and also 25.
5z = 25 __ ___ 5 5 ____________ z = 5
____________________________________________________________ So, the steps are to write the equation out. Combine any like terms, if there is any. (Ex. 5x + 3 + 52x + 39 {you can combine 5x and 52x because they are like terms, meaning they are alike. Other words are simplifying. (57x) :)}[and you can combine 3 and 39 since they are alike too. (42)]) Then, you add/subtract ON BOTH SIDES! And after that, you finish it off by multiplying/dividing ON BOTH SIDES.
And how you know if you subtract or add is that if it is positive or negative. Ex. +5 ( you would subtract in order to get it to zero. So -5) Ex. -5 ( you would add in order to get is to zero. so +5)
And how you know it's multiplication or division. Ex. 5x (5 * x = 5x, so you would divide by 5 to get zero, and divide 5 ON BOTH SIDES) Ex. \frac{x}{5} [/tex] ( you would have to multiply 5 from top and bottom and ON BOTH SIDES)
I hoped this help with the question, and any other questions your confused about :)
