2x+5x-11=10! So once you combine like terms - 2x+5x, you end up with 7x-11=10 You then have to add 11 to both sides of the equal sign and you get 7x=21. If you divide both sides by 7, you end up with x=3. Did you need what Y was, too ? If so, you just go back to the original problem: 2(3)+y=10 2 times 3 = 6+y=10. Subtract 6 from both sides and you get Y=4!