1. **State the problem:** Solve the equation $2(w+4) = -8$ for $w$. 2. **Use the distributive property:** Multiply 2 by each term inside the parentheses. $$2(w+4) = 2 \times w + 2 \times 4 = 2w + 8$$ 3. **Rewrite the equation:** $$2w + 8 = -8$$ 4. **Isolate the variable term:** Subtract 8 from both sides. $$2w + 8 - 8 = -8 - 8$$ $$2w = -16$$ 5. **Solve for $w$:** Divide both sides by 2. $$\frac{\cancel{2}w}{\cancel{2}} = \frac{-16}{2}$$ $$w = -8$$ 6. **Final answer:** $$w = -8$$