Explanation:
to solve an equation with a variable we want to transform the equation, so that in the end we have the variable alone on one side of the equation, and everything else on the other side.
so, when we look at
(n + 8)/2 - 4 = 16
what blocks us from reading the value of n ?
several things on the left side.
I would start with the "- 4".
to get rid of that from the side of the variable we need to add 4. and to keep the equality true, we need to add this on both sides :
(n + 8)/2 - 4 + 4 = 16 + 4
and we get
(n + 8)/2 = 20
what blocks us now ?
I would say the fraction, this division by 2.
how do we get rid of that ?
by multiplying everything by 2 :
2×(n + 8)/2 = 2×20
and we get
n + 8 = 40
still, something is blocking us from reading the value of n : the "+ 8".
how do we get rid of that ?
by subtracting 8 from both sides :
n + 8 - 8 = 40 - 8
and we get
n = 32
that's it. we are finished. goal achieved.