You must first combine like terms. Like terms means the numbers with the same variables must be combined. In this case those two numbers are 5x and -x, since they both have the variable x attached.
You can combine these variables two different ways. Both will get you the same answer.
Method 1:
5x + (-x) ---> 4x
^^^Keep in mind that -x means the same thing as -1x. The one is just invisible.
Another way to write this is:
5x + (-1x) ---> 4x
Method 2:
5x - 1x ---> 4x
Now that you combined like terms you have the new equation:
4x = 28
Now you must divide 4 to both sides to isolate x. Since 4 is being multiplied by x, division (the opposite of multiplication) will cancel 4 out (in this case it will make 4 one) from the left side and bring it over to the right side.
4x ÷ 4 = 28 ÷ 4
x = 7
Check:
5(7) - 7 = 28
35 - 7 = 28
28 = 28
Hope this helped!
~Just a girl in love with Shawn Mendes
