7 - 3(x - y) = 5x + 2
the first step...is to distribute the -3 into the parenthesis....multiply the -3 by each term in the parenthesis...so
-3 times x = -3x
and
-3 times -y = 3y
so now we have
7 - 3x + 3y = 5x + 2
Now....we have 2 different 'x' numbers...we can combine them to just make 1...
add 3x to both sides of the equation...so
7 - 3x + 3y = 5x + 2
+3x +3x
---------------------
7 + 3y = 8x + 2
Now...we can also combine those constant numbers as well...try subtracting 2 from both sides of the equation...
7 + 3y = 8x + 2
-2 -2
5 + 3y = 8x
NOW we want both the variables on 1 side of the equation...so subtract 3y from both sides
5 + 3y = 8x
5 = 8x - 3y
or rewritten as
8x - 3y = 5
does it help?
