Help with algebra question?

Question

I have to take a college placement test today, and i cannot for the life of me remember how to do algebra (i havent been to school in 8 years). How do you solve this problem... please show work so i can understand it. Thank you.

2x-3(x+4)=5 What is X?

Answer 1

2x-3(x+4)=5

2x-3x-12=5

-x=17

x= -17

Answer 2

2x - 3( x + 4 ) = 5

2x - 3x - 12 = 5

-x - 12 = 5

-x = 17

x = -17

Answer 3

OK, first expand the LHS (Left hand side of the equation that is before the '=' sign), like this

2x - 3x - 3*4 = 5

[-3 will go on multiplying with each term when expanding]

Now 2x - 3x = -x and 3*4 = 12, now the above equation will become,

-x - 12 = 5

Now, add 12 to both the sides [this will not affect the equality of the sides, as your adding the same number], we will get,

-x = 17, Now multiply both the sides by -1, we will get,

x = -17, answer.