5x + 7 = 3x - 5 First, subtract 3x from both sides. Second, keep the 7 and subtract the 5x - 3x to get 2x. Third, subtract the 7 from both sides. Fourth, simplify -5 - 7. Fifth, take the 2 and divide it on both sides, leaving just x in its place. Sixth, since 6 goes into 2 to get 12, simplify the fraction to 6.