first, use the distributive property to multiply everything out. So 3(x-5)= 3(x)-3(5)=3x-15. 11-2(x+3)= 11 + (-2(x) + -2(3)) = 11 -2x -6. we can get the right side to be even simpler by combining like terms, so the constants or things with out the x. so 11-2x-6 = -2x+5. so now we have 3x-15=-2x+5. we move the x's to one side and the constants to the other. so add 2x to both sides and addd 15 to both sides as well. Thus,the -2x and the -15 cance leaving us with 3x+2x=5+15 this is the same as 5x=20. now divide the coefficient of x (the 5) from both sides giving us x= 20/5 = 4. x =4.