Question: Solve for $x$. Express your answer as a whole number, a decimal, or a fraction in simplest form.
$-5 + 2x = 5 - (-9x - 4) - 5x$
1. **State the problem:** Solve the linear equation $$-5 + 2x = 5 - (-9x - 4) - 5x$$ for $x$.
2. **Apply the distributive property:** Remove the parentheses on the right side by distributing the minus sign:
$$5 - (-9x - 4) - 5x = 5 + 9x + 4 - 5x$$
3. **Simplify the right side:** Combine like terms:
$$5 + 4 + 9x - 5x = 9 + 4x$$
4. **Rewrite the equation:**
$$-5 + 2x = 9 + 4x$$
5. **Isolate variable terms on one side:** Subtract $2x$ from both sides:
$$-5 + \cancel{2x} - \cancel{2x} = 9 + 4x - 2x$$
which simplifies to
$$-5 = 9 + 2x$$
6. **Isolate constant terms on the other side:** Subtract $9$ from both sides:
$$-5 - 9 = 9 - 9 + 2x$$
which simplifies to
$$-14 = 2x$$
7. **Solve for $x$:** Divide both sides by $2$:
$$\frac{-14}{\cancel{2}} = \frac{2x}{\cancel{2}}$$
which simplifies to
$$x = -7$$
**Final answer:** $$x = -7$$