Don't try and read this all at once. Just do a little at a time. You're not reading a novel. You are doing a math problem.
Left Hand Side
Start with 4 times a number
Let the number = x
4 times a number = 4x
5 less than 4 times a number =
5 - 4*x
Right Hand Side
Three times a number = 3x
Two more than 3 times a number = 2 + 3x
Equals
5 - 4x = 2 + 3x Add 4x to both sides
5 - 4x + 4x = 2 + 3x + 4x Combine
5 = 2 + 7x Subtract 2 from both sides
5 - 2 = 2 - 2 + 7x Combine
3 = 7x Divide by 7
3/7 = 7/7 * x
x = 3/7 Answer
