2(x - 2) + 3(x + 1) = 9
2x - 4 + 3x + 3 = 9 distributed the 2 and 3 on the left side
5x - 1 = 9 added like terms (2x + 3x) and (-4 + 3)
5x = 10 added 1 to both sides
x = 2 divided 5 from both sides
Answer: x = 2