2X +4+ 5X = 8X -6 combine like terms on both sides 7X +4=8X -6 subtract the four on both sides 7X +4 = 8X -6 -4. -4 7X = 8x-10 subtract 8x from both sides 7X = 8X -10 -8x. -8x -x = -10 Divide negative one from both sides to get the X by itself -x/-1. -10/-1 x = 10