a) a/5 + 3 = 8
Step 1 : Minus both sides by 3
a/5 + 3 - 3 = 8 - 3 -> a/5 = 5
Step 2 : Multiply both sides by 5
a/5 x 5 = 5 x 5 -> a = 25.
b) (3b)/7 - 1 = 5
Step 1 : Add both sides by 1
(3b)/y - 1 +1 = 5 + 1 -> (3b)/7 = 6
Step 2 : Multiply both sides by 7
(3b)/7 x 7 = 6 x 7 -> 3b = 42
Step 3 : Divide both sides by 3
3b : 3 = 42 : 3 -> b = 14.