How do you solve #8(m-5)=2(3m-8)#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-02-06T23:11:34

See the entire solution process below:

First, expand the terms within parenthesis on each side of the equation:

#(8 xx m) - (8 xx 5) = (2 xx 3m) - (2 xx 8)#

#8m - 40 = 6m - 16#

Next, add #color(red)(40)# and subtract #color(blue)(6m)# from each side of the equation to isolate the #m# term while keeping the equation balanced:

#8m - 40 + color(red)(40) - color(blue)(6m) = 6m - 16 + color(red)(40) - color(blue)(6m)#

#8m - color(blue)(6m) - 40 + color(red)(40) = 6m - color(blue)(6m) - 16 + color(red)(40)#

#(8 - 6)m - 0 = 0 + 24#

#2m = 24#

Now, divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(2)# to solve for #m# while keeping the equation balanced:

#(2m)/color(red)(2) = 24/color(red)(2)#

#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(2)))m)/cancel(color(red)(2)) = 12#

#m = 12#