Final answer:
To solve the equation, distribute the terms, combine like terms, isolate the variable, and find the value of x.
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve the equation 3(7x + 2) = 5(4x + 1) - 17, we need to simplify both sides of the equation and isolate the variable x. First, we distribute the terms on each side of the equation:
21x + 6 = 20x + 5 - 17
Next, we combine like terms:
21x + 6 = 20x - 12
Then, we subtract 20x from both sides to isolate the variable:
x + 6 = -12
Finally, we subtract 6 from both sides:
x = -12 - 6
x = -18
Therefore, the number of cars Max bought over the years, represented by x, is -18.