this is how you solve for x;
5x + 10 = -4x -17
5x + 4x + 10 = -4x +4x -17 (add 4x on both sides)
9x + 10 = -17
9x +10-10 = -17 -10 (subtract 10 on both sides)
9x = - 27 (next do the inverse operation of x)
x = -27 ÷ 9
x = -3