Question

What is the answer to 3x-7=5x+1

Answer 1

4x is the answer of the equation 3x-7=5x+1

Answer 2

First, you must subtract 5x from both sides, so it would look like this:
3x-7=5x+1
-5x   -5x


This would leave you with -2x-7=1. Now it's a normal 2-step equation. Add 7 to both sides, like this:
-2x-7=1
     +7 +7

So, now it is -2x=8. Now you divide by -2 by both sides. 
-2x=8
-2   -2
 
Your answer would be -4. 
So, x=-4