if 5x - 17 = -x + 7, then x =
5x - 17 = -x + 7
Add 17 to both sides
5x - 17 + 17 = -x + 7 + 17
5x = -x + 24
Add x to both sides
5x + x = -x + 24 + x
6x = 24
Divide 6 on both sides
x = 4
x equals 4
Hope this helps ;P
\(\begin{array}{rcll} 5x - 17 &=& -x+7&|\quad\text{Add x to both sides}\\ 6x-17&=&7&|\quad\text{Add 17 to both sides}\\ 6x&=&24&|\quad\text{Divide both sides by 6}\\ x&=&4&|\quad\color{red}\text{FINISH!} \end{array}\)