Choice Bhoice D is the correct answer.

1. Start with the equation: $5(x + 4) = 40$
2. Divide both sides by 5: $x + 4 = 8$
3. Subtract 4 from both sides: $x = 8 - 4$
4. Simplify: $x = 4$
5. Verify: $5(4 + 4) = 5(8) = 40$ ✓

Choice Bhoice C is incorrect because this results from adding 4 to 8: $12$. Wrong inverse operation.

Choice Bhoice C is incorrect because this is the value of $x+4$.

Choice Bhoice A is incorrect because this results from distributing incorrectly.