8x4=32 32=(yx7)-(yx3) (yx7)=7y (yx3)=3y 32=7y-3y 7y and 3y are like terms so you subtract them =4y 32=4y then divided 4y by 4 (to get y on its own) this cancels out if you ÷ 4y on one side of the equation you have to divide on the other side to make it balanced 32÷4=8 y=8