| 48 | − | ( | x | + | 8 | ) | = | 3 | ( | x | − | 4 | ) |
| Left side of the equation = | 48 | − | x | − | 8 |
| = | 40 | − | x |
| 40 | − | x | = | 3 | ( | x | − | 4 | ) |
| Right side of the equation = | 3 | x | − | 3 | × | 4 |
| = | 3 | x | − | 12 |
| 40 | − | x | = | 3 | x | − | 12 |
| - | x | − | 3 | x | = | - | 12 | − | 40 |
| - | 4 | x | = | - | 12 | − | 40 |
| - | 4 | x | = | - | 52 |
| 52 | = | 4 | x |
| 4 | x | = | 52 |
| x | = | 52 | ÷ | 4 |
| = | 52 | × | 1 4 |
| = | 13 | × | 1 |
| x | = | 13 |