-1/2 (5x-9)=17
Apply distributive property:
-1/2(5x)-1/2(-9)=17
-5/2x+9/2 =17
-5/2x =17-9/2
-5/2x= 25/2
x= 25/2/ (-5/2)
x=-5
2nd way_
-1/2 (5x-9)=7
Divide both sides by -1/2
[-1/2 (5x-9) ]/ (-1/2) =17 / (-1/2)
5x-9 = -34
5x =-34+9
5x= -25
x=-25/5
x = -5