Step 1) Divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(4)# to eliminate the need for parenthesis while keeping the equation balanced:
#(4(7x - 2))/color(red)(4) = -36/color(red)(4)#
#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(4)))(7x - 2))/cancel(color(red)(4)) = -9#
#7x - 2 = -9#
Step 2) Add #color(red)(2)# to each side of the equation to isolate the #x# term while keeping the equation balanced:
#7x - 2 + color(red)(2) = -9 + color(red)(2)#
#7x - 0 = -7#
#7x = -7#
Step 3) Divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(7)# to solve for #x# while keeping the equation balanced:
#(7x)/color(red)(7) = -7/color(red)(7)#
#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(7)))x)/cancel(color(red)(7)) = -1#
#x = -1#
