Subtract \(2x\) from both sides.
\[-4=5x+8-2x\]
Simplify \(5x+8-2x\) to \(3x+8\).
\[-4=3x+8\]
Subtract \(8\) from both sides.
\[-4-8=3x\]
Simplify \(-4-8\) to \(-12\).
\[-12=3x\]
Divide both sides by \(3\).
\[-\frac{12}{3}=x\]
Simplify \(\frac{12}{3}\) to \(4\).
\[-4=x\]
Switch sides.
\[x=-4\]
x=-4
