The given equation is expressed as
5(x+4) = 7(x-2)
The first step is to multiply the terms inside the parentheses by the term outside. We have
5x + 20 = 7x - 14
By collecting like terms, we have
7x - 5x = 20 + 14
2x = 34
Dividing both sides of the equation by 2, we have
2x/2 = 34/2
x = 17