Answer:
x=26
Explanation:
by definition of alternate exterior angle rule 8x -71 = 5x +7
What you want to do is get your X's on one side I recommend subtracting 5x so that you don't have to deal with negative values.
8x-5x-71=5x-5x+7
3x-71=7
add 71 to both sides the goal now is trying to get by itself
3x-71+71=7+71
3x=78
now divide both sides by 3
3x/3=78/3
x=26