Question

Solve for x. 5x + 17 = 3x + 7 A. x = 10 B. x = 5 C. x = –10 D. x = –5

Answer 1

$5x+17=3x+7\ \ \ |-17\\\\5x=3x-10\ \ \ |-3x\\\\2x=-10\ \ \ \ |:2\\\\x=-5\\\\\text{Answer: D. x=-5}$

Answer 2

5x + 17 = 3x + 7

isolate the x, subtract 3x from both sides and 17 from both sides

5x (-3x) + 17 (-17) = 3x (-3x) + 7 (-17)

5x - 3x = 7 - 17

2x = -10

Isolate the x, divide 2 from both sides

2x/2 = -10/2

x = -10/2

x = -5

D. x = -5 is your answer

hope this helps