You set the expressions equal to each other since they are congruent, then solve. 5x + 24 = 9x - 17 First subtract 24 from both sides to get 5x = 9x - 41 The subtract 9x from both sides to get -4x = -41 Then divide both sides by -4 to get x = 41/4 or as a decimal x = 10.25
