1/4 x (8x-16) + 12x = -2 (x+4) factor out 4 from the expression 1/4 x 4(2x-4)+12x= -2(x + 4) distribute -2 through the parenthesis -2x-8 reduce the numbers with 4 , 1/4 x (2x - 4) + 12x = -2x-8 remove parenthesis , collect like terms , 14x-4=2x-8 , combine 14x and 2x which is then 16x=-8+4 , calculate the sum of -8+4=4 , then divide both sides by 16 , it will the give you -1/4