(1/3)x-5+171=x I move the x on the right to the left so (1/3)x-x-5+171=0 I then simplify so (-2/3)x+166=0 I subtract 166 from both sides so (-2/3)x = -166 Then I divide (-2/3) from both sides so x = -166/(-2/3) x = 249 and that's the answer hope this helps