Numbers and x's Everywhere

$7x-4 = 3x+8$ has x-terms on both sides and numbers on both sides. Subtract $3x$ from both sides, add 4 to both sides, then divide by 4.

$$4x-4 = 8$$

$$4x = 12$$

$$x = 3$$

Check: $7\cdot 3-4 = 17$ and $3\cdot 3+8 = 17$.

There are three steps, and the order of the first two does not matter. You can collect the numbers first and the x-terms second. What matters is the shape you are aiming for: x-terms on one side, numbers on the other. From that shape, one division gives the solution.