Question

how do I solve -10(x+4)+48=-16-16

Answer 1

We want to get the x on one side alone.
First, the right side can be simplified. -16-16 = -32.
Now we have -10(x+4) + 48 = -32.
Subtract 48 from both sides to get -10(x+4) = -80.
Now we can do a little trick: divide both sides by -10.
x+4 = 8
x = 4
Does that make sense?

Answer 2

-10(x + 4) + 48 = -16-16 (distribute the -10 through the parenthesis)
-10x - 40 + 48 = -16-16 (combine like terms)
-10x + 8 = -32 (subtract 8 from both sides)
-10x = -32 - 8
-10x = -40 (divide by -10 on both sides)
x = -40/-10 (negative divided by a negative equals a positive)
x = 4