2e - 12 = 7e + 8. We need to solve for e. First, subtract 7e from each side to get the variables on a side and the numbers on the other: 2e - 12 = 7e + 8 2e - 12 - 7e = 7e + 8 - 7e -5e - 12 = 8 We need too to add 12: -5e - 12 + 12 = 8 + 12 -5e = 20 Now you divide each side by -5 so you can get the variable e alone on the first side, and its value on the other: (-5e)/-5 = 20/-5 e = -4 (20/-5 = -4; Do not forget that when dividing a positive number by a negative number, the result is strictly negative!!)
You can recheck your answer (very important): 2e - 12 = 2*(-4) - 12 = -8-12 = -20 7e + 8 = 7(-4) + 8 = -28 + 8 = -20 So 2e - 12 = 7e + 8 = -20 The answer has been approved.
