Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and the Yahoo Answers website is now in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Trending News
How is 8 - x = 5 solved?
If the variable is not first in a subtraction equation, how would it be solved? I know this is a simply problem and the answer is 3, but I'm looking for a systematic way of solving it.
16 Answers
- 8 years agoFavorite Answer
8 - x = 5
Add x to both sides.
8- x + x = 5 + x
On the left side, the -x and +x cancel out to give 0.
8 = 5 + x
Subtract 5 from both sides.
8 - 5 = 5 + x - 5
On the right side, the 5 and -5 cancel to give 0.
3 = x
- 8 years ago
Even if the variable is not first in a subtraction question, it can still be solved.
8-x=5
First, you would try to get the variable by itself, so you would take 8 away from both sides.
8-x=5
-8 -8
-x = - 3
Now, to get x to be positive, you would divide both sides by -1.
(-x = - 3) / - 1
x=3
Dividing the equation by -1 doesn't change the equation, because the answer is still the same either way. -x= -3 is the same as x=3.
Hope this helps!
- Anonymous8 years ago
Subtract 5 (the answer) from 8 (the start number)
10 - x =5
X = 5
If the answer is more the variable (x) will be negative
8 - x = 10
X = -2
Source(s): I've done this before - ?Lv 58 years ago
You have to get the "x" alone so you must subtract 8 from both sides of the equation. So 8-x=5
-8. -8
So. -x= -3
Negatives cancel each other out
So x = 3
- 8 years ago
8 - x = 5
Add the x to both sides (thus getting rid of -x on the left)
8=5+x
subtract 5 from both sides
3=x (x=3)
- SpacemanLv 78 years ago
8 - x = 5
8 - x + x = 5 + x
8 = 5 + x
8 - 5 = 5 - 5 + x
3 = x
x = 3
CHECK
8 - (3) = 5
8 - 3 = 5
5 = 5
Source(s): my own fevered brain...!