Answer: 16
Here are the steps to solve for x:
3(x+4) + 2 = 2+5(x-4)
1. Distribute to get rid of the parentheses
3x+12+2 = 2+5x-20
2. Combine like terms
3x+14 = 5x -18
3. Get like terms on the same side
3x+14 = 5x -18
-14 -14
3x = 5x -32
-5 -5
-2x = -32
4. Divide by -2 to isolate x
-2/2 x = -32/2
x=16