5x-16 = 4(x-8)-3x
first expand what is in parenthesis
4(x-8) = 4x-32
so now you have 5x-16 = 4x-32-3x
subtract 3x from 4x on the right side of equation 4x-3x = x
5x-16 = x -32
subtract 1x from each side to get
4x-16 = -32
add 16 to both sides to get 4x=-16
x = -16/4 = -4
x=-4