Steps to solve 1) We have 5 +(-8)n = 29, which we can change to 5 - 8n = 29, because a positive times negative equals a negative 2) To isolate n, we move all of the other numbers to the other side of the equation. Since 5 is the only number on the left side, we subtract 5 from both sides 5 -5 - 8n = 29 -5 -8n = 24 3) Now, to find n, we want to just have one n on the left side instead of -8, so we divide the equation by -8 to find that -8n/-8 = 24/8 n = 3