The sum of five times a number and 4 is equal to four times the sum of a number and 2. What is the number?

1 Answer
Nov 5, 2015

#x=4#

Explanation:

This is a word expression for an algebraic one, so you first have to change between the two
"five time a number and 4": #5x+4#
"four times the sum of a number and 2": #4(x+2)#

So your algebraic equation is:
#5x+4=4(x+2)#

Next you need to solve it using algebra:
Distribute the 4
#(4*x)+(4*2)#
#5x+4=4x+8#

Then subtract 4 from both sides
#(5x+4)-4=(4x+8)-4#
#5x=4x+4#

Next subtract 4x from both sides
#(5x)-4x=(4x+4)-4x#

Leaving your final answer
#x=4#