1. **State the problem:** Solve the equation $$-8 + 5x = 8x + 4$$ for $x$. 2. **Rewrite the equation:** We want to isolate $x$ on one side. Start by moving all $x$ terms to one side and constants to the other. 3. **Subtract $5x$ from both sides:** $$-8 + 5x - 5x = 8x + 4 - 5x$$ which simplifies to $$-8 = 3x + 4$$ 4. **Subtract 4 from both sides:** $$-8 - 4 = 3x + 4 - 4$$ which simplifies to $$-12 = 3x$$ 5. **Divide both sides by 3 to solve for $x$:** $$\frac{-12}{\cancel{3}} = \frac{3x}{\cancel{3}}$$ which simplifies to $$-4 = x$$ 6. **Final answer:** $$x = -4$$