Question 709863
Equation one is:  8(x + 6) + 23 = 7


First, use the distributive property to multiply 8 by everything in the parenthesis.  This will result in


8x + 48 + 23 = 7


Next, add 48 and 23, giving us


8x + 71 = 7


Then, since we want to solve for x, we need x to be by itself on the left side of the equation.  To do this, subtract 71 from both sides of the equal sign:


8x + 71 - 71 = 7 - 71


This gives us


8x = -64


Finally, divide both sides by 8, which gives us x:


x = -8


Equation 2 is: 3(2x - 7) = 5x + 17 + x


First, multiply the 3 by everything in the parenthesis.  This gives us


6x - 21 = 5x + 17 + x


Next, combine the 5x and x on the right side of the equal sign, giving us


6x - 21 = 6x + 17


As you can see, because we have a 6x on both the right and the left, and when you move the 6x from one side by subtraction, you are left with -21 = 17.  Since -21 does not equal 17, we cannot solve for x.  So, equation #2 cannot be solved for x.