2x - 9x = 14 (Careful next time you accidentally added an "equal" next to the 2) ------------------------------------- Simplify 2x-9x=14 2x+-9x=14 -------------------------------------------- Combine the like-terms (2x+-9x)=14 -7x=14 -------------------------------------------------- Now divide -7 to each side -7x ÷ -7 = 14 ÷ -7 x = -2 ------------------------------------------------------ x = -2 is your answer
