Answer :
since you have variables on both sides, you have to subtract the smallest varable from both sides that HAVE the variable. so 3m-8=5m+8
3m-8=5m+8
-3m -3m
-8=2m+8
isolate the variable by subtracting 8 from both sides
-16=2m
isolate the variable again by dividing both sides by 2
so -8=m
now you have to put -8 into the equation
(checking)
3(-8)-8=5(-8)+8
-24-8=-40+8
-32=-32
3m-8= 5m+8
need to have variables on one side and numbers on the other
move the smaller numbers to avoid negative numbers
subtract 3m from both sides
-8= 2m+8
subtract 8 from both sides
-16 = 2m
-8 = m
