(x+16)= 3x
pretend that there is a +1 in front of the bracket
1(x+16)= 3x
mutiply the bracket by 1
(1)(x)= x
(1)(16)= 16
x+16= 3x
Move x to the other side
Sign changes from +x to -x
x-x+16= 3x-x
0+16= 3x-x
16= 3x-x
16= 2x
divide both sides by 2
16/2= 2x/2
x= 8 - Answer