you need to write the Eqation like so: 2(X + 2 + 7) = 32 then divide 32 by 2 = 16 then all you have left is X + 2 + 7 = 16 then add 2 and 7 together which wili give you this X + 9 = 16 then you subtract 9 from 16 which leaves X alone. And the answer would be 7