Solve for x. State any restrictions on the variables ax-5 = bx - 13

ax-5 = bx - 13

add 5 to each side

ax = bx-13+5

ax = bx-8

subtract bx from each side

ax-bx = - 8

factor out x

x (a-b) = - 8

divide by a-b

x = - 8 / (a-b)

a-b cannot = 0

a cannot = b

Answer: x = - 8 / (a-b) a cannot equal b