First, you have to move both x values to one side. IN doing so, you add the one that is least in value. -9 is less than -1.
8x + 17= 1
Now you subtract 17 from both sides
8x= -16
Now divide by 2
x= -2
Now let's check our work
-9 (-2) + 1= -(-2) + 17
18 + 1= 2 + 17
19= 19
Your answer is x= -2
