| 5 | x | − | ( | 2 | x | − | 16 | ) | = | 4 | x | + | 4 | ( | x | − | 1 | ) |
| Left side of the equation = | 5 | x | − | 2 | x | + | 16 |
| = | 3 | x | + | 16 |
| 3 | x | + | 16 | = | 4 | x | + | 4 | ( | x | − | 1 | ) |
| Right side of the equation = | 4 | x | + | 4 | x | − | 4 | × | 1 |
| = | 4 | x | + | 4 | x | − | 4 |
| = | 8 | x | − | 4 |
| 3 | x | + | 16 | = | 8 | x | − | 4 |
| 3 | x | − | 8 | x | = | - | 4 | − | 16 |
| - | 5 | x | = | - | 4 | − | 16 |
| - | 5 | x | = | - | 20 |
| 20 | = | 5 | x |
| 5 | x | = | 20 |
| x | = | 20 | ÷ | 5 |
| = | 20 | × | 1 5 |
| = | 4 | × | 1 |
| x | = | 4 |