Answer: x=6
Step-by-step explanation:
[tex]5x+4x-68=34-8x\\\\9x-68=34-8x\\\\9x-68+8x=34-8x+8x\\\\17x-68=34\\\\17x-68+68=34+68\\\\17x=102\\\\Divide \ both \ parts\ of\ the\ equation\ by\ 17:\\\\x=6\\[/tex]
Your friend should have added 68 to each side of the equation, but instead subtracted 68 from the right side.
[tex]17x=34-68\\17x=-34[/tex]
Divide both parts of the equation by 17:
[tex]x=-2[/tex]