| - | ( | 2 | − | x | ) | − | 3 | ( | x | + | 1 | ) | = | x | − | 9 |
| Left side of the equation = | - | 2 | + | x | − | 3 | ( | x | + | 1 | ) |
| = | - | 2 | + | x | − | 3 | x | − | 3 | × | 1 |
| = | - | 2 | + | x | − | 3 | x | − | 3 |
| = | - | 5 | − | 2 | x |
| - | 5 | − | 2 | x | = | x | − | 9 |
| - | 2 | x | − | x | = | - | 9 | + | 5 |
| - | 3 | x | = | - | 9 | + | 5 |
| - | 3 | x | = | - | 4 |
| 4 | = | 3 | x |
| 3 | x | = | 4 |
| x | = | 4 | ÷ | 3 |
| = | 4 | × | 1 3 |
| x | = | 4 3 |
| x | = | 1.333333 |