First, work on the parentheses. So the -2 on the outside as to be multiplied by the 7 , which gets -14 . Then you multiply the -2 by the 2x, which is 4x.
It will go from -2(7-2x) to -14+4x But if the -14+4x looks too confusing, you can just switch them around to look “normal”. So it would be 4x-14 .
Now that we’re finished with one side of the problem, we’ll go to the other side.
On the left side , there are two variables, or letters. Because they are the same letter (p) all you have to do is add them together.
3p -5p +—- -2p
And then just carry the -2 that was originally there , so it’s -2p-2
Now the equation is -2p-2 = 4p-14
So we’re going to add 2p to both sides.
The -2p on the left cancels out, and the 4p on the right side becomes 6p
-2 = 6p-14
Next, you are going to want to isolate the variable. (Leave the letter by itself) so you add 14 to the -14 , so it can cancel out. (AND DO THE SAME ON THE OTHER SIDE) So, you add 14 to the -2 on the left of the equation. Which comes out to 12.
12 = 6p
Lastly, divide the 6p , so you can get the letter on it’s own. And do the same on the other side.
