Distribute.
$2(x) + 2(4.5) = 32$

Subtract 9 from both sides.

$2x + 9 = 32$
$\:\:\:\:−9 \:\:\:\:−9$
$2x = 23$

Divide by $2$.

$\frac{2{\it x}}{2} = \frac{23}{2}$

$x = 11.5$

Isolate the variable.

See part (a).

You could cross multiply.
$16x = 5(9)$

${\it x} = \frac{45}{16}$