Question

x16 -8 = 16

Answer 1

Multipliers are usually written in front of the variable

if you meant:
16x - 8 = 16
16x = 24
x = 3/2

if you meant:
x^16 - 8 = 16
x^16 = 24
x = 24^(1/16) = appr 1.22

check: 1.22^16 = 24.08.. , not bad