How do you determine if two numbers or expressions are equal?

Solve both sides on their own, if both sides are equal to each other, then they are equal.

Ex. (2^3 / 4) + 3 = 4^2 - 3^3

(8/4) + 3 = 16 - 9

2+3 = 5

5 = 5

these are equal

Ex. 7x2 + 15 = 3^3 - 2

14 + 15 = 9 - 2

29 ≠ 7

these are not equal