Step 1) Multiply each side of the equation by #color(red)(4)# to eliminate the parenthesis while keeping the equation balanced:
#color(red)(4) xx 1/4(8x + 16) = color(red)(4) xxx -10#
#cancel(color(red)(4)) xx 1/color(red)(cancel(color(black)(4)))(8x + 16) = -40#
#8x + 16 = -40#
Step 2) Subtract #color(red)(16)# from each side of the equation to isolate the #x# term while keeping the equation balanced:
#8x + 16 - color(red)(16) = -40 - color(red)(16)#
#8x + 0 = -56#
#8x = -56#
Step 3) Divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(8)# to solve for #x# while keeping the equation balanced:
#(8x)/color(red)(8) = -56/color(red)(8)#
#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(8)))x)/cancel(color(red)(8)) = -7#
#x = -7#
