x + 5/8 = - 1/4
x = -1/4 - 5/8
first, we convert 1/4 to a fraction whose denominator is 8, so that we can combine the fractions. we can do this by multiplying both numerator and denominator by 2:
1*2 / 4*2 = 2/8
therefore,
x = -(2/8) - 5/8
then we simply add the numerator and copy the denominator:
x = (-2 - 5)/8
x = -7/8
hope this helps~ :)