1) both 8x and -6x are the same form - they’re just a coefficient with a variable, while 9 and -7 are just plain numbers. move the expression around as shown in the picture: 8x - 6x + 9 - 7. now coefficients with variables are next to each other, while plain numbers are next to each other, making it easier to solve. 2) now solve: 8x - 6x is 2x, and 9 - 7 is 2. now you have 2x + 2, which is the final answer.
i don’t know if i explained it very well, but if you look at the picture you should be fine.
