= 5. Square both sides. You will get 7 - 3x = , or, which is the same 7 - 3x = 25. Add 3x to both sides. You will get 7 = 25 + 3x, or, which is the same, 25 + 3x = 7. Distract 25 from both sides. You will get 3x = 7 - 25, or, which is the same 3x = -18. Divide both sides by 3. You will get x = = -6. Answer. x = -6. Check. = = = 5. Checked !