| 17 | + | 16 | + | 14 | − | ( | 2 | x | − | 2 | ) | − | 2 | × | 2 | = | 3 | x |
| Left side of the equation = | 17 | + | 16 | + | 14 | − | ( | 2 | x | − | 2 | ) | − | 4 |
| = | 43 | − | ( | 2 | x | − | 2 | ) |
| 43 | − | ( | 2 | x | − | 2 | ) | = | 3 | x |
| Left side of the equation = | 43 | − | 2 | x | + | 2 |
| = | 45 | − | 2 | x |
| 45 | − | 2 | x | = | 3 | x |
| - | 2 | x | − | 3 | x | = | - | 45 |
| - | 5 | x | = | - | 45 |
| 45 | = | 5 | x |
| 5 | x | = | 45 |
| x | = | 45 | ÷ | 5 |
| = | 45 | × | 1 5 |
| = | 9 | × | 1 |
| x | = | 9 |