Need help solving this equation please!

I need to solve and check the following equation.

5x + 8 + 3x - x + 5 = 6x - 3

So far I have 5x + 3x + x =9x to work the first half of the problem. I am unsure if I did this right. The second half of the problem I have 6x -3 is 1. This algebra is all new to me I need help breaking this down properly so I know if I am on the right track here.

How did you go from:

. . . . .5x + 8 + 3x - 1x + 5 = 6x - 3

...to:

. . . . .5x + 3x + 1x = 9x

What do you mean by "the first half" and the "second half" of the problem?

Please reply showing all of your steps. Thank you.

Eliz.

Try thinking of x's as apples or cents.
5 apples + 3 apples - 1 apple = ? apples
5 cents + 3 cents - 1 cent = ? cents
x's and cents act the same way. They are just names of things you are counting.
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Gene