So first do 3(x+1) which is 3x+3 because you have to multiply the outside number by the stuff in side the parentheses. Then you do the 5(x-2)+7 and it should be 5x-10+7 so now your equation should be 3x+3=5x-10+7 now subtract the 3x from the 5x and now your equation should look like this: 3=2x-10+7. Then you add the 10 and the 7 so now your equation should look like this: 3=2x-3 because it's a -10 and a positive 7 it would be -3. So then you have to add the -3( which now becomes positive to the other 3 in front of the = sign. So now your equation should look like this: 6=2x. Now divide by 2 to get x by its self and now your answer should be 3=x or x=3.