Are variables real numbers?

Question

i'm proofing if 5x-3=3x+5, then x=4.the first step would be identifying the real numbers and subtracting it. is 3x a real number?

Answer 1

of course because a real number is any number either negative or positive .then 3x is a real number as x may be negative or positive number

Answer 2

5x - 3  =  3x + 5

Step 1. Get what you want to solve for on one side, everything else to the other side.

You want to solve for x, so bring all the X's onto the same side, and move everything else to the other side.

5x - 3x = 5 + 3

Step 2. Simplify that.

2x = 8

Step 3. Solve for x.

x = 4