5(x + 2/3) = 3x - 2/3. distribute the 5 through the parenthesis
5x + 10/3 = 3x - 2/3. subtract 3x from both sides
5x - 3x + 10/3 = 3x - 3x - 2/3. combine like terms
2x + 10/3 = - 2/3. subtract 10/3 from both sides
2x + 10/3 - 10/3 = -2/3 - 10/3. simplify
2x = - 12/3. reduce
2x = - 4. divide both sides by 2
x = -4/2. reduces to -2
or this way.
5(x + 2/3) = 3x - 2/3. distribute
5x + 10/3 = 3x - 2/3. multiply by lowest common denominator of 3
15x + 10 = 9x - 2. subtract 9x from both sides
15x - 9x + 10 = -2. subtract 10 from both sides
6x + 10 - 10 = -2 - 10. simplify
6x = -12. divide both sides by 6
x = -12/6 reduces to -2