3x+17=32

To solve an equation like this, you need to get all the "x" stuff on one side, and the numbers on the other.

The key point to remember is that if an equation is true, then it will remain true if you do the same thing to both sides of the equation.

Since addition and subtraction are inverse operations, use one to get rid of the other.

Similarly for multiplication and division.

So, you have

3x+17 = 32

To have all the x's on one side, you need to move the 17 to the other side. To undo the "+17" do a "-17".

3x + 17 - 17 = 32 - 17
3x = 15

Now, you have 3x, but you want just x. To undo the multiplication, do a divide

3x/3 = 15/3
x = 5