Question

18x + 2x + 1=32 -1 18x + 2x=31 And then what?

Answer 1

Take 18x + 2x= 31
Combine like terms; 18x and 2x
20x=31
Now divide both sides by 20.
The 20 crosses out on the right and the x is now by itself.
And 31 divided by 20 is 1.55.
Therefore the answer is x=1.55

Answer 2

Let's look at the equation we have. 
18x + 2x = 31

The first step would be to combine like terms. Ex: 18x and 2x
18x + 2x = 31
20x = 31

Now, to isolate the x, you would divide both sides by 20. 
20x = 31
x = 1.55

x = 1.55

I hope this helps!