5x + 3 = 3x + 11
• first put all the x-values on one side and the rest on the other
Remember: when the number moves to the other side of the equal sign the sign (+ OR - switches. For ex: the 3 on the left becomes negative when moved to the right side of the equal sign)
5x - 3x = 11 - 3
• subtract left and right sides separately
2x = 8
• divide both sides by 2 to solve for x
2x/2 = 8/2
x = 4 (final answer)