What is the value of x?

x + 5 = - 6x - 16

X + 5 = - 6x - 16

add 16 to both sides

x+21 = - 6x

add 6x to both sides

7x+21=0

factor out the seven

7 (x+3) = 0

if 7 times (x+3) = 0 then (x+3) must equal zero because 7 times 0 is 0

so x+3=0

subtract three from both sides

x = - 3

Get all the x's on one side and everything else on the other side

x + 6x = - 16 - 5

7x = - 21

then divide by 7

x = - 3