How do you solve 7u - 8= 3u?

1 Answer
Jul 15, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, add color(red)(8) to each side of the equation:

7u - 8 + color(red)(8) = 3u + color(red)(8)

7u - 0 = 3u + 8

7u = 3u + 8

Next, subtract color(red)(3u) from each side of the equation to isolate the u term while keeping the equation balanced:

7u - color(red)(3u) = 3u - color(red)(3u) + 8

(7 - color(red)(3))u = 0 + 8

4u = 8

Now, divide each side of the equation by color(red)(4) to solve for u while keeping the equation balanced:

(4u)/color(red)(4) = 8/color(red)(4)

(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(4)))u)/cancel(color(red)(4)) = 2

u = 2