this is the equation: 3x-2=5x+15 you combine like terms: 3x-3x-2=5x-3x+15 the 3x on the left cancles out: -2=2x+15 subtract 15 on both sides: -2-15=2x+15-15 the 15 on the right cancles out:--17=2x divide by 2: -17/2=2x/2 x equals negative 8.5: x=-8.5
