Expand the brackets first
5(wx-v) = 9(x + v)
5wx - 5v = 9x + 9v
Get all x's on one side and everything on on the other side
9x - 5wx = 9v + 5v
factorise out the x
x(9-5w) = 14v
then divide by 9-5w
x = 14v/(9-5w)
No 12.14 is not bigger than 12.44
12.14 < 12.44
1. -2<2 2. -4> -5. -20<20. -7>-8. -10<-1. 50>-100
So you make your equation 4x+20+40=180.
Add like terms and get 4x+60=180.
Subtract 60 from both sides, get 4x=120.
Divide boths sides by 4, get your answer of x=30.
Hope this helps