How do you solve #-6- 8u = - u + 36#?

1 Answer
Jul 20, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, add #color(red)(8u)# and subtract #color(blue)(36)# from each side of the equation to isolate the #u# term while keeping the equation balanced:

#-6 - 8u + color(red)(8u) - color(blue)(36) = -u + 36 + color(red)(8u) - color(blue)(36)#

#-6 - color(blue)(36) - 8u + color(red)(8u) = -u + color(red)(8u) + 36 - color(blue)(36)#

#-42 - 0 = -1u + color(red)(8u) + 0#

#-42 = (-1 + color(red)(8))u#

#-42 = 7u#

Now, divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(7)# to solve the equation for #u# while keeping the equation balanced:

#-42/color(red)(7) = (7u)/color(red)(7)#

#-6 = (color(red)(cancel(color(black)(7)))u)/cancel(color(red)(7))#

#-6 = u#

#u = -6#