What integer is equal to x if 4x - 4 = -20?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the value of the integer x in the equation 4x - 4 = -20. To solve it, we will isolate x by performing algebraic operations such as adding 4 to both sides and then dividing by 4.
Answer
The integer equal to $x$ is $-4$.
Answer for screen readers
The value of $x$ is $-4$.
Steps to Solve
- Add 4 to both sides
To isolate the term with $x$, we add 4 to both sides of the equation:
$$ 4x - 4 + 4 = -20 + 4 $$
This simplifies to:
$$ 4x = -16 $$
- Divide both sides by 4
Next, we divide both sides of the equation by 4 to solve for $x$:
$$ \frac{4x}{4} = \frac{-16}{4} $$
This simplifies to:
$$ x = -4 $$
The value of $x$ is $-4$.
More Information
In the equation $4x - 4 = -20$, we found that $x = -4$. This means that if you substitute $-4$ back into the original equation, it will satisfy the equation.
Tips
- Ignoring the signs: Sometimes students may forget to apply the negative sign correctly when moving terms.
- Incorrect operations: Ensure to correctly apply addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division as needed without missing steps.
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