It has been twenty-plus years since I graduated high school and completed any type of math courses through a higher education institution.  Therefore, could you please refresh my memory for the reason(s) why one determines which side to add or subtract from a certain side when solving linear equations?  For example: 2(x-8)+8x=4x+6(x-3)                                             2x-16+8x=4x+6x-18                                             10x-16=10x-18 (here is where my question comes into play - why subtract 16 from 18 and not the other way around)

Glencoe Algebra 1, Student Edition, 9780079039897, 0079039898, 2018
18th Edition
ISBN:9780079039897
Author:Carter
Publisher:Carter
Chapter9: Quadratic Functions And Equations
Section9.7: Solving Systems Of Linear And Quadratic Equations
Problem 30HP
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It has been twenty-plus years since I graduated high school and completed any type of math courses through a higher education institution.  Therefore, could you please refresh my memory for the reason(s) why one determines which side to add or subtract from a certain side when solving linear equations?  For example: 2(x-8)+8x=4x+6(x-3) 

                                           2x-16+8x=4x+6x-18

                                            10x-16=10x-18 (here is where my question comes into play - why subtract 16 from 18 and not the other way around)

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