Solve the equation: 5p − 7 = 3p + 3 .

At first, it is important to identify that this is a linear equation, usually in the form of y = mx + b. These equations are used for straight line graphs. The most important rule to remember when solving this type of equation is that the same operation should be done to each side of the equation, for example if you subtract a number from the left side of the equation, you would subtract the same value from the right side of the equation. This will make sure that the equation is always balanced. The main aim to solve the equation is to rearrange the equation, so that all the ''p'' s are on one side of the equation and the numbers are on the other side.To rearrange the equation 5p - 7 = 3p + 3, first you could subtract 3p from both sides of the equation to get the ''p'' s on one side (left). This leaves you with 2p -7 = 3. Then the next step is to get the values to the other side (right). To do this, you can add the value 7 to both sides of the equation and this leaves you with 2p = 10. Now we know two lots of p equals 10, so to solve the value of one p you have to divide both sides of the equation by 2. Finally this leaves you with p = 5.