| 8 | ( | x | − | 2 | ) | = | 2 | ( | x | + | 7 | ) |
| Left side of the equation = | 8 | x | − | 8 | × | 2 |
| = | 8 | x | − | 16 |
| 8 | x | − | 16 | = | 2 | ( | x | + | 7 | ) |
| Right side of the equation = | 2 | x | + | 2 | × | 7 |
| = | 2 | x | + | 14 |
| 8 | x | − | 16 | = | 2 | x | + | 14 |
| 8 | x | − | 2 | x | = | 14 | + | 16 |
| 6 | x | = | 14 | + | 16 |
| 6 | x | = | 30 |
| x | = | 30 | ÷ | 6 |
| = | 30 | × | 1 6 |
| = | 5 | × | 1 |
| x | = | 5 |