14 - (x - 2) = 23
14 - x + 2 = 23
14 - x = 21
- x = 21 - 14
- x = 7
x = - 7
(38 + x) - 18 = 31
38 + x - 18 = 31
38 + x = 31 + 18
x = 31 + 18 - 38
x = 11
12 - (x - 3) = 3
12 - x + 3 = 3
12 - x = 3 - 3
- x = 3 - 3 - 12
-x = - 12
x = 12
