Question

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

Answer 1

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`