8 x - 4 (5 - x) = - 44

8 x - 4 (5 - x) = - 44

mutiply the bracket by - 4

(-4) (5) = - 20

(-4) (-x) = 4x

8x-20+4x = - 44

8x+4x-20 = - 44 (combine like terms)

12x-20 = - 44

move - 20 to the other side

sign changes from - 20 to + 20

12x-20+20 = - 44+20

12x = - 44+20

12x = - 24

divide both sides by 12

12x/12 = - 24/12

Answer: x = - 2