Linear equations with unknown coefficient question

[mgodi]

I'm studying through Khan Academy and just want clarification from the picture below. Working from row four to row five below, the guy says, "I'm going to multiply everything by -1 just to get rid of all those negative signs." That I think I get. But what if I just want to solve the problem with all the negative signs? I solved through a did not multiply by -1 to get rid of all the negative signs and got: x=(-8-5a)/(-a-b). So that answer means the same thing as the one he go below in the picture? I'm not sure I understand how that works? ......... edited grouping symbols

 

[Deleted member 4993]

I'm studying through Khan Academy and just want clarification from the picture below. Working from row four to row five below, the guy says, "I'm going to multiply everything by -1 just to get rid of all those negative signs." That I think I get. But what if I just want to solve the problem with all the negative signs? I solved through a did not multiply by -1 to get rid of all the negative signs and got: x=-8-5a/-a-b. So that answer means the same thing as the one he go below in the picture? I'm not sure I understand how that works?
View attachment 26050

\(\displaystyle \frac{-8-5*a}{-a - b} \ = \ \frac{(-1) * (8 + 5*a)}{(-1) * (a + b)} \ =\ \frac{8 + 5*a}{a + b} \)