Pre-Algebra Examples

$- 18 + 38 = - 4 (x + 4)$

Step 1

Rewrite the equation as $- 4 (x + 4) = - 18 + 38$ .

$- 4 (x + 4) = - 18 + 38$

Step 2

Add $- 18$ and $38$ .

$- 4 (x + 4) = 20$

Step 3

Divide each term in $- 4 (x + 4) = 20$ by $- 4$ and simplify.

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.1

Divide each term in $- 4 (x + 4) = 20$ by $- 4$ .

$\frac{- 4 (x + 4)}{- 4} = \frac{20}{- 4}$

Step 3.2

Simplify the left side.

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.2.1

Cancel the common factor of $- 4$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.2.1.1

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{- 4 (x + 4)}{- 4} = \frac{20}{- 4}$

Step 3.2.1.2

Divide $x + 4$ by $1$ .

$x + 4 = \frac{20}{- 4}$

Step 3.3

Simplify the right side.

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.3.1

Divide $20$ by $- 4$ .

$x + 4 = - 5$

Step 4

Move all terms not containing $x$ to the right side of the equation.

Tap for more steps...

Step 4.1

Subtract $4$ from both sides of the equation.

$x = - 5 - 4$

Step 4.2

Subtract $4$ from $- 5$ .

$x = - 9$