1. **State the problem:** Solve the equation $5 - x = 14$ for $x$. 2. **Formula and rules:** To solve for $x$, isolate $x$ on one side of the equation by performing inverse operations. 3. **Step 1:** Subtract 5 from both sides to move constants to the right: $$5 - x - 5 = 14 - 5$$ which simplifies to $$-x = 9$$ 4. **Step 2:** Multiply both sides by $-1$ to solve for $x$: $$\cancel{-1} \times (-x) = \cancel{-1} \times 9$$ which simplifies to $$x = -9$$ 5. **Final answer:** $x = -9$