Explanation:
The equation 5x + 18 = 12x - 17 can be solved for x by rearranging the terms and isolating the variable on one side of the equation.
First, we can simplify the equation by combining like terms. Adding 17 to both sides and subtracting 5x from both sides, we get:
5x + 18 + 17 = 12x - 17 + 17 - 5x
Simplifying this expression, we get:
23 = 7x - 5x
Next, we can combine like terms again to solve for x:
23 = 2x
Dividing both sides by 2, we get:
x = 11.5
Therefore, the solution to the equation 5x + 18 = 12x - 17 is x = 11.5.