Here's why I failed algebra... below is a screenshot of a 'kids introduction to algebra'..,

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In what universe should I find it necessary to cancel out a +5 with a -5 and 'have a go at subtracting 5 from both sides', to end up with a 9 character equation to get to another 5 character equation-- I mean, what does +5 and -5 equaling 0 have anything at all to do with "what plus 5 equals 12"? The SIMPLE equation change is x=12-5 ...! THAT I can understand!