解:$7.9x + 1.58 + 2x = 7.9x - 8.42,$
合并同类项得$9.9x + 1.58 = 7.9x - 8.42,$
根据等式性质1,等式两边同时减去$7.9x,$
$9.9x + 1.58 - 7.9x = 7.9x - 8.42 - 7.9x,$
$2x + 1.58 = - 8.42,$
$ $再根据等式性质$1,$等式两边同时减去$1.58,$
$2x + 1.58 - 1.58 = - 8.42 - 1.58,$
$2x = - 10,$
$ $最后根据等式性质$2,$等式两边同时除以$2,$
$2x\div2=-10\div2,$
$x = - 5。$