This can be confusing because of the minus signs and the parenthesis.
-1/2(2X-4) - 2X = 5
-X + 2 - 2X = 5
-X - 2X + 2 = 5
-3X + 2 - 2 = 5 - 2
-3X = 3
-3X/3 = -3/3
X = -1
Proof:
-1/2(2X - 4) - 2X = 5
-1/2((2)(-1) - 4) - (2)(-1) = 5
-1/2(-2 - 4) - (-2)= 5
-1/2(-6) + 2 = 5
3 + 2 = 5
5 = 5
