Solve for x -16=4-2x+7x

$- 16 = 4 - 2 x + 7 x$

Rewrite the equation as $4 - 2 x + 7 x = - 16$ .

$4 - 2 x + 7 x = - 16$

Add $- 2 x$ and $7 x$ .

$4 + 5 x = - 16$

Move all terms not containing $x$ to the right side of the equation.

Subtract $4$ from both sides of the equation.

$5 x = - 16 - 4$

Subtract $4$ from $- 16$ .

$5 x = - 20$

Divide each term in $5 x = - 20$ by $5$ and simplify.

Divide each term in $5 x = - 20$ by $5$ .

$\frac{5 x}{5} = \frac{- 20}{5}$

Simplify the left side.

Cancel the common factor of $5$ .

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{5 x}{5} = \frac{- 20}{5}$

Divide $x$ by $1$ .

$x = \frac{- 20}{5}$

Simplify the right side.

Divide $- 20$ by $5$ .

$x = - 4$