Distribute! Left side : -3 • 12 = -36 and -3 • m = 3m which then gives you -36 + 3m. Right side : -1 • m = -1m (or -m) then -1 • -8 = 8. Then you get -1m + 8.
So, -36 + 3m = -1m + 8.
+ 36 on both sides
3m = -1m + 44
+ 1m on both sides
4m = 44
so divide both sides by 4 and THE ANSWER is 11!
