1. Let's solve the equation step-by-step. 2. Suppose the equation is $3x - 5 = 16$. 3. To isolate $x$, add $5$ to both sides: $$3x - 5 + 5 = 16 + 5$$ 4. This simplifies to: $$3x = 21$$ 5. Now divide both sides by $3$ to solve for $x$: $$\frac{\cancel{3}x}{\cancel{3}} = \frac{21}{3}$$ 6. This gives: $$x = 7$$ 7. The signs come from the operations we perform: adding $5$ to cancel $-5$, and dividing by $3$ to isolate $x$. 8. So, the solution is $x = 7$.