In the question "-7 + 9 = x + 5 (-3)", is the question asking to minus (-3) from 5 or multiply 5 by (-3)? The ( ) formatting for negative numbers is a little confusing.
+118608 YES I agree, sometimes the presentation is more confusing than necessary and I do not like it when multiply signs are left out for no good reason.
But
when a number is jambed up against an open bracket there is always an invisiable multiply sign.
so
-7 + 9 = x + 5 (-3)
means
-7 + 9 = x + 5 *(-3)
2 = x - 15
17 = x
x = 17
