| - | 4 | ( | x | − | 7 | ) | + | 2 | ( | x | − | 14 | ) | − | 5 | = | - | 17 |
| Left side of the equation = | - | 4 | x | + | 4 | × | 7 | + | 2 | ( | x | − | 14 | ) | − | 5 |
| = | - | 4 | x | + | 28 | + | 2 | ( | x | − | 14 | ) | − | 5 |
| = | - | 4 | x | + | 23 | + | 2 | ( | x | − | 14 | ) |
| = | - | 4 | x | + | 23 | + | 2 | x | − | 2 | × | 14 |
| = | - | 4 | x | + | 23 | + | 2 | x | − | 28 |
| = | - | 2 | x | − | 5 |
| - | 2 | x | − | 5 | = | - | 17 |
| - | 2 | x | = | - | 17 | + | 5 |
| - | 2 | x | = | - | 12 |
| 12 | = | 2 | x |
| 2 | x | = | 12 |
| x | = | 12 | ÷ | 2 |
| = | 12 | × | 1 2 |
| = | 6 | × | 1 |
| x | = | 6 |