SOLUTION: Solve. –4x = –8

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Question 86320: Solve. –4x = –8
Answer by bucky(2189) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Given the equation:
.
-4x+=+-8
.
To solve for x, divide both sides of the given equation by -4, the multiplier of x. When
you do this is what happens:
.
%28-4%2Ax%29%2F%28-4%29+=+%28-8%29%2F%28-4%29
.
The minus 4 terms in the numerator and the denominator of the left side cancel:
.
%28cross%28-4%29%2Ax%29%2Fcross%28-4%29+=+%28-8%29%2F%28-4%29
.
and on the right side the 4 in the denominator goes into the 8 in the numerator 2 times.
The 2 is positive because when the numerator and the denominator terms have the same sign
the rule is that the answer will be positive. This makes the problem become:
.
x+=+2
.
And that's the answer you were looking for. Hope this helps you to understand the method
of solving an equation by dividing both sides by the multiplier of x (also called the
"coefficient of x".)
.