How do you combine like terms and solve for the variable?

8 - 3x - 5x = - 8

You would combine the 3x - 5x since they both have a variable leaving you with 8-8x=-8 then you would subtract the positive 8 from the negative 8 because you want to get the variable alone. this leaves you with - 8x=-16 then to get the variable alone you would divide by - 8 giving you x=2

8 - 3x - 5x = - 8

8 - 8x = - 8

-8x = - 8 - 8

-8x = - 16

8x = 16

x = 16/8

x = 2