SOLUTION: I am in college Prealgebra and Introductory Algebra. This Greek to me and I seriously need some help. I am not understanding very well. I can figure out most of my homework, but

Algebra ->  Expressions -> SOLUTION: I am in college Prealgebra and Introductory Algebra. This Greek to me and I seriously need some help. I am not understanding very well. I can figure out most of my homework, but      Log On


   

Question 365093: I am in college Prealgebra and Introductory Algebra. This Greek to me and I seriously need some help. I am not understanding very well. I can figure out most of my homework, but on test I freeze and fail them. The question I have is how do you work a problem like -4x = 20-(-4) ?
Found 3 solutions by irla, ewatrrr, lenny460:
Answer by irla(2) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
-4x = 20-(-4)
= 20 + 4 ( minus a minus number creates a positive number)
-4x = 24 (Solve for x by dividing both sides of the equation to keep equation equal,by -4)
x = 24/-4
x = -6 (positive divided by negative creates a negative number)

Answer by ewatrrr(24785) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Hi, 

*Note: to solve for x, we need to isolate x on one side of the equal sign

also note,for ex : (-1)*(-2) = +2  and 1*(-2) = -2 for ex

-4x = 20-(-4)

-4x = 20 + (-1)(-4)

-4x = 20 + 4

-4x = 24

dividing both sides of the equation by -4

-4x/-4 = 24/-4 

x = -6

Answer by lenny460(1073) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I am in college Pre Algebra and Introductory Algebra. This Greek to me and I seriously need some help. I am not understanding very well. I can figure out most of my homework, but on test I freeze and fail them. The question I have is how do you work a problem like -4x = 20-(-4) ?

-4x = 20 - (-4)
negative times negative in Algebra is always positive.
20 - (-4) = 20 + 4 = 24
Therefore:
-4x = 24
Divide each side by -4
-4x/-4 = 24/-4
x = -6