(x+1)/(x+2)=5/3 appears to be the equation. Multiply both sides of the equation by 3: 3(x+1)/(x+2)=5, then multiply throughout by (x+2): 3(x+1)=5(x+2). This process is called cross-multiplication. Open the brackets: 3x+3=5x+10. Gather the x's on side of the equals by subtracting 3x from each side: 3=2x+10; and subtract 10 from each side: -7=2x. We've now separated x and numbers. Divide both sides by 2: -7/2=x, so x=-7/2 or -3 and a half, or -3.5.