The symbol \begin{tabular}{|l|l|}
\hline$a$ \& $b$ 
\hline$c$ \& $d$ 
\hline

 equals $a d-b c$. If 

\hline$x-1$ \& 2 
\hline 3 \& -5 
\hline
\end{tabular}$=9$, the value of $x$ is

(A) -4
(B) -3
(C) -2
(D) 2
(E) 4
Using the definition of the symbol,

$$
\begin{aligned}
(x-1)(-5)-(2)(3) & =9 \\
-5 x+5-6 & =9 \\
-5 x & =10 \\
x & =-2
\end{aligned}
$$

Answer: (C)