1/5 (x - 8) = x - 16...distribute thru the parenthesis 1/5x - 8/5 = x - 16 ...multiply everything by common denominator of 5 x - 8 = 5x - 80 ...subtract 5x from both sides x - 5x - 8 = - 80 ...add 8 to both sides x - 5x = -80 + 8 ...combine like terms -4x = - 72 ...divide both sides by -4 x = -72/-4 x = 18
