First distribute the -1/4 to the variables in the parentheses. Your new equation is -1/4x - 1/2 +5= -x. Next combine like terms to get -1/4x +4 1/2=-x. Then add -1/4x to both sides to get 4 1/2 = -3/4x. Next multiply both sides by -4/3 to cancel out the -3/4 next to the x. Your solution is x=-6.