How do you solve 7u - 8= 3u7u8=3u?

1 Answer
Jul 15, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, add color(red)(8)8 to each side of the equation:

7u - 8 + color(red)(8) = 3u + color(red)(8)7u8+8=3u+8

7u - 0 = 3u + 87u0=3u+8

7u = 3u + 87u=3u+8

Next, subtract color(red)(3u)3u from each side of the equation to isolate the uu term while keeping the equation balanced:

7u - color(red)(3u) = 3u - color(red)(3u) + 87u3u=3u3u+8

(7 - color(red)(3))u = 0 + 8(73)u=0+8

4u = 84u=8

Now, divide each side of the equation by color(red)(4)4 to solve for uu while keeping the equation balanced:

(4u)/color(red)(4) = 8/color(red)(4)4u4=84

(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(4)))u)/cancel(color(red)(4)) = 2

u = 2