First, group and combine like terms on the left side of the equation:
#x + x + 2 + x + 4 = 240# becomes:
#x + x + x + 2 + 4 = 240#
#(1x + 1x + 1x) + (2 + 4) = 240#
#(1 + 1 + 1)x + 6 = 240#
#3x + 6 = 240#
Next, subtract #color(red)(6)# from each side of the equation to isolate the #x# term while keeping the equation balanced:
#3x + 6 - color(red)(6) = 240 - color(red)(6)#
#3x + 0 = 234#
#3x = 234#
Now, divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(3)# to solve for #x# while keeping the equation balanced:
#(3x)/color(red)(3) = 234/color(red)(3)#
#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(3)))x)/cancel(color(red)(3)) = 78#
#x = 78#