Solving equations with variables on both sides

- In our next lesson, we're going to be solving equations…that have variables on both sides of the equation.…Let's take a look at an example of an equation…with variables on both sides.…This equation 3a + 2 = 5a + 16 has a variable "a"…on the left-hand side and the right-hand side.…In order to solve this equation,…we're going to have to follow two steps.…The first step is to get all of the variables on one side…of the equation and then we need to get all of…the constants on the other side of the equation.…

This will then allow us to begin solving the equation.…So let's start by getting all of the variables…on one side of the equation.…It doesn't really matter which side of the equation…you move the variables to, but for most students…they prefer to work with the variable on the left-hand side.…So we're going to move the 5a to the left-hand side.…In order to do that, we must add or subtract.…So we're going to start with 5a and since it's positive,…we're going to subtract 5a from the right-hand side…and I'm going to bring down the + 16.…