simplify 7x + 2y = -23 Solving 7x + 2y = -23 Solving for variable 'x'. Move all terms containing x to the left, all other terms to the right. Add '-2y' to each side of the equation. 7x + 2y + -2y = -23 + -2y Combine like terms: 2y + -2y = 0 7x + 0 = -23 + -2y 7x = -23 + -2y Divide each side by '7'. x = -3.285714286 + -0.2857142857y Simplifying x = -3.285714286 + -0.2857142857y