You are solving for the variable. Note the equal sign. What you do to one side, you do to the other. Do the opposite of PEMDAS:
8) z- 4 = -8
Isolate the z. Add 4 to each side
z - 4 (+4) = -8 (+4)
z = -8 + 4
z = -4
C. z = -4 is your answer
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9) -3 = x/5
Note the equal sign. What you do to one side, you do to the other. Isolate the x. Multiply 5 to both sides
-3(5) = x/5(5)
x = -3(5)
x = - 15
B. x = - 15 is your answer
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hope this helps