There is only one "unknown" in each problem. It's "p" in the first problem and "x" in the second one. So what you need to do is manipulate the equation until you have the unknown on one side of the equals mark. When you have done that, its value will be on the other side. Remember, you can do anything to the numbers on one side of the equals mark as long as you do the same thing to the other side -- and it won't change the values of anything. That's the trick. For instance, if the problem was 3x=9 you could divide both sides of the equation by 3, getting x=3 That's how you have to look at this stuff. You said you need the workings written out, so I'm going to start with the original equation and add the solution line by line as I explain it. When we get to the end, you'll have the whole process written out in order. 5p+7=3(4-p) In this one, there's something special: (4-p) When something is in parentheses like this, it tells you to treat its parts a certain way. If you DIDN'T have the parentheses, and it looked like this: 3 4-p You might think it was "34-p". The parentheses say "multiply." So when you have 3(4-p), you multiply 3 times whatever's in the parentheses. Since "p" isn't really a number, you can't subtract it from 4 and THEN multiply by 3. So, what you do is multiply 3 time 4 AND 3 times "p": 3 times 4 = 12 3 times p = 3p So, you can write 3(4-p) as 12-3p Substitute that into the original equation: 5p+7=3(4-p) 5p+7=12-3p Now you have something you can work with. Add 3p to each side of the equation: 5p+7=3(4-p) 5p+7=12-3p 5p+7+3p=12-3p+3p On the left side, you can combine "5p" and "+3p" to get "8p." On the right, you can combine "-3p" and +3p" to get 0p, or just simply zero. Like this: 5p+7=3(4-p) 5p+7=12-3p 5p+7+3p=12-3p+3p 8p+7=12+0 8p+7=12 Now, subtract 7 from each side of the equation: 5p+7=3(4-p) 5p+7=12-3p 5p+7+3p=12-3p+3p 8p+7=12+0 8p+7=12 8p+7-7=12-7 Combine the numbers: 5p+7=3(4-p) 5p+7=12-3p 5p+7+3p=12-3p+3p 8p+7=12+0 8p+7=12 8p+7-7=12-7 8p=5 Divide each side by 8: 5p+7=3(4-p) 5p+7=12-3p 5p+7+3p=12-3p+3p 8p+7=12+0 8p+7=12 8p+7-7=12-7 8p=5 p = 5/8 === 2x+7=6(x+3) First multiply the numbers on the right side: 2x+7=6(x+3) 2x+7=6x+18 Then subtract 7 from each side: 2x+7=6(x+3) 2x+7=6x+18 2x=6x+11 Now, if you subtract 6x from each side, you'll end up with "-4x" on the left. But you don't have to do that. Instead, you can subtract the 2x from each side: 2x+7=6(x+3) 2x+7=6x+18 2x=6x+11 2x-2x=4x+11, which is the same as 0=4x+11: 2x+7=6(x+3) 2x+7=6x+18 2x=6x+11 0=4x+11 Now subtract 11 from each side: 2x+7=6(x+3) 2x+7=6x+18 2x=6x+11 0=4x+11 0-11=4x, which is the same as -11=4x: 2x+7=6(x+3) 2x+7=6x+18 2x=6x+11 0=4x+11 -11=4x Divide each side by 4: 2x+7=6(x+3) 2x+7=6x+18 2x=6x+11 0=4x+11 -11=4x -11/4=x, which is the same as x = -11/4 If you want to, divide "-11" by 4: x = -2 3/4 === Don't let the jumble of numbers and letters get to you. Just try to simplify things step by step by adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing both sides of the equation by the same amount, and you will gradually get to an answer. You...can...do...it...!!