#color(purple)("Subtract 3 on both sides of the equation. This will allow you to")##color(purple)("get the variable (a letter that takes the place of an unknown"##color(purple)("number) and the constant (a number) by themselves so you can solve for x:")#
#xcancel+3=8# #color(white)(aa)cancel-3 -3#
Now, on the left side you are just left with #x# since 3+(-3) = 0. On the right side you end up with 5 because 8-3 =5.