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