-5(x + 3) + 3(x - 1/3) = -24
Distributive property
-5x - 15 + 3x - 1 = -24
+5x
-15 + 3x - 1 = -24 + 5x
+24
9 + 3x - 1 = 5x
-3x
9 - 1 = 2x
Combine 9 and -1
8 = 2x
Divide by 2
x = 4