#5. distribute negative sign: x-12+x=38, add 12 to both sides: 2x=50, divide by 2: x=25 #6. add 5/8 to both sides: z/6=12/8, multiply 6 on both sides: z=9 #7. distribute negative sign: 3b-6+b=-22, add 6 to both sides: 4b=-16, divide by 4: b=-4. 7b=-28