2x - 9x = 14 (Careful next time you accidentally added an "equal" next to the 2) ------------------------------------- Simplify 2x-9x=<span>14 </span><span>2x+-9x</span>=<span>14 </span>-------------------------------------------- Combine the like-terms <span>(<span>2x+-9x</span>)</span>=<span>14 </span><span><span>-7x</span></span>=<span>14 </span>-------------------------------------------------- Now divide -7 to each side -7x ÷ -7 = 14 ÷ -7 x = -2 ------------------------------------------------------ x = -2 is your answer