Our goal is to get x by itself. Since x is currently being added with 2, we need to undo that addition.
5x=17−2
2
To isolate x, we subtract 2 from both sides of the equation. This keeps the balance equal because whatever we do to one side of the equation, we need to do the same to the other side to maintain equality.
5x=15
3
The final equation is 5x = 15. This means x is equal to 15 divided by 5.