Evaluate 3x-8=5x+4

$3 x - 8 = 5 x + 4$

Move all terms containing $x$ to the left side of the equation.

Subtract $5 x$ from both sides of the equation.

$3 x - 8 - 5 x = 4$

Subtract $5 x$ from $3 x$ .

$- 2 x - 8 = 4$

Move all terms not containing $x$ to the right side of the equation.

Add $8$ to both sides of the equation.

$- 2 x = 4 + 8$

Add $4$ and $8$ .

$- 2 x = 12$

Divide each term in $- 2 x = 12$ by $- 2$ and simplify.

Divide each term in $- 2 x = 12$ by $- 2$ .

$\frac{- 2 x}{- 2} = \frac{12}{- 2}$

Simplify the left side.

Cancel the common factor of $- 2$ .

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{- 2 x}{- 2} = \frac{12}{- 2}$

Divide $x$ by $1$ .

$x = \frac{12}{- 2}$

Simplify the right side.

Divide $12$ by $- 2$ .

$x = - 6$