Which geometric object is the shortest path between two points

Follow these steps using the algebra tiles to solve the equation −5x + (−2) = −2x + 4. 1. add 5 positive x-tiles to both sides and create zero pairs. 2. add 4 negative unit tiles to both sides and create zero pairs. 3. divide the unit tiles evenly among the x-tiles. x =

To determine the number of deer in a forest a forest ranger tags 280 and releases them back

I'm confused on this could anyone me and show me what i need to do to solve it.