gistfile1.txt

-(x - 4)^2 = -(x - 8)^2

Hint: | Multiply both sides by a constant to simplify the equation.
Multiply both sides by -1:
(x - 4)^2 = (x - 8)^2

Hint: | Eliminate the exponent on the left hand side.
Take the square root of both sides:
x - 4 = x - 8 or x - 4 = 8 - x

Hint: | Look at the first equation: Isolate x to the left hand side.
Subtract x - 4 from both sides:
0 = -4 or x - 4 = 8 - x

Hint: | Look for a false statement.
0 = -4 is trivially false:
x - 4 = 8 - x

Hint: | Isolate x to the left hand side.
Add x + 4 to both sides:
2 x = 12

Hint: | Solve for x.
Divide both sides by 2:
Answer: | 
 | x = 6