This is the equation: 3x-2=5x+15 <span>you combine like terms: 3x-3x-2=5x-3x+15 </span> <span>the 3x on the left cancles out: -2=2x+15 </span> <span>subtract 15 on both sides: -2-15=2x+15-15 </span> <span>the 15 on the right cancles out:--17=2x </span> <span>divide by 2: -17/2=2x/2 </span> <span>x equals negative 8.5: x=-8.5</span>