Greetings!
"What is the general process for solving an equation with one variable?"...
Typically when solving an equation with one variable, your objective is to isolate the variable on one side of the equation. This can be done adding/subtracting number to cancel them out on one side. You can also multiply/divide coefficients in order to isolate a variable.
Example:
2x+4=64
Add -4 to both sides to isolate the variable.
(2x+4)+(-4)=(64)+(-4)
Simplify.
2x=60
Divide both sides by 2 to isolate the variable on one side.
(2x)/2=(60)/2
x=30
Hope this helps.