Question

Could someone explain this to me?

Answer 1

You must solve for p, in order to solve for p you must move all the terms to equal p, so the equation is
$2m + 2p = 16$
first move the 2m, subtract the 2m from both sides
$2m + 2p = 16 \\ - 2m \: \: \: \: \: \: \: \: - 2m$
the 2m and -2m cancel out and now your equation looks like
$2p = 16 - 2m$
now to leave p by itself you must divide by 2 on both sides as the 2 is being multiplies on the p (opposite)
$\frac{2p}{2} = \frac{16 - 2m}{2}$
now to put the answer is simplest form your answer is
$p = 8 - m$
which is the first answer choice