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$\"\"$

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The equation is $\"\"$

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According to subtraction property of equality: If a = b then a – c = b – c.

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$\"\"$ (Subtract 3 from each side.)

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$\"\"$ (Apply Commutative property)

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$\"\"$ (Add: –1 – 3 = –4.)

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$\"\"$ (Multiply each side by 7.)

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$\"\"$

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$\"\"$ (Cancel common terms.)

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$\"\"$ (Multiply: $\"\"$ )

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$\"\"$ (Divide each side by 8)

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$\"\"$

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$\"\"$ \ \

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$\"\"$ (Cancel common terms.) $\"\"$

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Check:

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To verify the solution, substitute $\"\"$ in original equation.

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$\"\"$

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$\"\"$

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$\"\"$ (Cancel common terms.)

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$\"\"$ ( Multiply: $\"\"$ )

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$\"\"$ (Subtract: $\"\"$ ) \ \

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$\"\"$

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The value of $\"\"$ .

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