0.5 (5-7x) = 8 - (4x+6)
2.5 -3.5x = 2 -4x
2.5 - 2 = -4x + 3.5x
.5 = - .5x
multiply 2 on both sides
1 = -x
change the x into positive
x = -1
now to check answer
0.5 [5-7(-1)] = 8 - [4(-1) + 6]
0.5(5+7) = 8 - (-4+6)
0.5(12) = 8 - 2
6 = 6
Hope this helps