2/3(4x - 5) = 8...divide both sides by 2/3, eliminating the 2/3 on the left 4x - 5 = 8/(2/3) 4x - 5 = 8 * 3/2.. dividing with fractions, flip what u r dividing by, then multiply 4x - 5 = 12....add 5 to both sides, eliminating the 5 on the left 4x = 12 + 5 4x = 17 ...divide both sides by 4 x = 17/4 or 4 1/4