How do I solve an equation where there are unknowns on both sides of the equation?

Golden rule: Do the Same thing to both sides of the equation Approach in 4 steps 1) Multiply out any brackets 2) Gather the like terms (Use analogy of apples and oranges) 3) Get all unknown terms to one side of the equation and all numbers to the other 4) Solve ( 5) Substitute a value back into unknown to CHECK ) Example  4(x+2) = 2x + 7 1) Expand --->  4x + 8 = 2x + 7 2) Like terms already together 3) Get unknown terms to same side (using river analogy) --> 4x-2x = 7-8 4) 2x = -1 therefore x = -1/2 5) CHECK answer by putting -0.5 into original equation