Ok so if 5x + 24 equals 9x - 17, the we can write it like this:
5x + 24 = 9x - 17 ~~~ We have to get x on one side to find out what it is. So you can either subtract 5x from both sides or 9x from both sides. Imma subtract 5x from north sides which becomes:
5x - 5x + 24 = 9x - 5x - 17 Now simplify
24 = 4x - 17 Now isolate 4x. To do that we have to add 17 to both sides
24 + 17 = 4x - 17 + 17 Now simplify
41 = 4x Now we have to get x alone on one side. So divide 4 from both sides. Becomes
41/4 = 4x/4 Now simplify.
10.25 = x