24 - (x + 8) = 5x - 2
Remove the parenthesis from the left hand side:
24 - x - 8 = 5x - 2
Add x to both sides:
24 - x - 8 + x = 5x -2 + x
24 - 8 = 5x -2 + x
Add like terms:
16 = 6x - 2
Add 2 to both sides:
16 + 2= 6x - 2 + 2
18 = 6x
Divide both sides by 6:
18/6 = 6x/6
3 = x
x = 3