First, subtract #color(red)(2)# from each side of the equation to isolate the term in parenthesis while keeping the equation balanced:
#1/2(4 + x) + 2 - color(red)(2) = 16 - color(red)(2)#
#1/2(4 + x) + 0 = 14#
#1/2(4 + x) = 14#
Next, multiply each side of the equation by #color(red)(2)# to eliminate the fraction and the need for parenthesis while keeping the equation balanced:
#color(red)(2) xx 1/2(4 + x) = color(red)(2) xx 14#
#cancel(color(red)(2)) xx 1/color(red)(cancel(color(black)(2)))(4 + x) = 28#
#4 + x = 28#
Now, subtract #color(red)(4)# from each side of the equation to solve for #x# while keeping the equation balanced:
#-color(red)(4) + 4 + x = -color(red)(4) + 28#
#0 + x = 24#
#x = 24#