| x | − | 1 | ÷ | 2 | × | ( | x | − | 5 | ) | = | 18 |
| Left side of the equation = | x | − | 1 2 | ( | x | − | 5 | ) |
| x | − | 1 2 | ( | x | − | 5 | ) | = | 18 |
| Left side of the equation = | x | − | 1 2 | x | + | 1 2 | × | 5 |
| = | x | − | 1 2 | x | + | 5 2 |
| = | 1 2 | x | + | 5 2 |
1 2 | x | + | 5 2 | = | 18 |
1 2 | x | = | 18 | − | 5 2 |
1 2 | x | = | 31 2 |
| x | = | 31 2 | ÷ | 1 2 |
| = | 31 2 | × | 2 |
| = | 31 | × | 1 |
| x | = | 31 |