Solve 5x + 4 = −16

The solution of 5x + 4 = −16 is x = -4.

5x + 4 = -16\ \Rightarrow\ x = -4

Explain it step by step in chat Make a short video of it

The lines y = 5x + 4 and y = -16 meet at x = -4. The solution of the equation is the x-coordinate of the point where the two sides are equal.

How to work it out

1
The goal is to get x alone. Undo the operations in the opposite order: first the addition, then the multiplication.
$5x + 4 = -16$
2
Subtract 4 from both sides:
$5x + 4 - 4 = -16 - 4 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -20$
3
Divide both sides by 5:
$\frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-20}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -4$
4
Check: put x = -4 back into the equation.
$5\cdot(-4) + 4 = -20 + 4 = -16 \checkmark$

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ 5x + 4 = -16\ \Rightarrow\ x = -4 \]
\[ 5x + 4 = -16 \]
\[ 5x + 4 - 4 = -16 - 4 \ \Rightarrow\ 5x = -20 \]
\[ \frac{5x}{5} = \frac{-20}{5} \ \Rightarrow\ x = -4 \]
\[ 5\cdot(-4) + 4 = -20 + 4 = -16 \checkmark \]

Trying values of x in 5x + 4 = −16

x	5x + 4	Equals -16?
-6	-26	no
-5	-21	no
-4	-16	yes
-3	-11	no
-2	-6	no

Questions

What is x in 5x + 4 = −16?

The solution of 5x + 4 = −16 is x = -4.

How do you solve 5x + 4 = −16?

Subtract 4 from both sides to get 5x = -20, then divide both sides by 5 to get x = -4.

How do I check the answer?

Replace x by -4: 5(-4) + 4 = -16, which is -16.

Solve 5x + 4 = −16

How to work it out

Trying values of x in 5x + 4 = −16

Questions

Similar equations