Question

3x + 5 = 17
+5 +5
-------
3x = 22
x = 22/3 or 7 1/3

Explanation:

Step1: Correct the first operation

Subtract 5 from both sides:
$3x + 5 - 5 = 17 - 5$

Step2: Simplify both sides

$3x = 12$

Step3: Isolate x by dividing by 3

$x = \frac{12}{3}$

Step4: Calculate the final value

$x = 4$

Answer:

$x = 4$
(Note: The original solution was incorrect because it added 5 instead of subtracting 5 from both sides to isolate the term with x.)