3x+2(x+7)-5=4(x+3)-3(x+1)

Order of operations:

1. Solve what's inside the paranthesis

2. Multiply (*) / divide (:)

3. Add (+) / subtract (-)

3x + 2(x + 7) - 5 = 4(x + 3) - 3(x + 1)

3x + 2x +14 - 5 = 4x + 12 - 3x - 3   

5x + 9 = x + 9      You'd typically like to have the x'es on the lift side

                            Move the x to the left, and the nine on the left side over to the right side

4x = 0

x = 0 

Your detailed answers are very good, Tetration....

Thx, I try to find a good balance between efficient writing and holistic and pedagogic answers :) 

Indeed, I believe I learn some English and some math along the way.

I'm from Norway, you know :)

"Holistic'..."Pedagogic"......

Hey..I'm from Louisiana....don't you realize that, down here, we have to use a dictionary for words that contain 3 or more syllables???       (LOL!!!)