Question

Two more than 4 times a number is -18. What is the number?

Answer 1

`x = -5`

Explanation:

Two more than `4` times a number is `-18` is

`-18 = 4x + 2`

`4x + 2 = -18`

or

`2 + 4x = -18`

You subtract both sides by `2` to get

`-20 = 4x`

or

`4x = -20`

You then divide both by `4` to get

`x = -5`

A negative number divided by a positive number equals a negative number.

Tell me if you have any questions!

Answer 2

`2+4x=-18`
`therefore` `x=-5`

Explanation:

Let `x` be the number.

2 more than 4 times a number is the same as saying `2+4x`.

You then equate this to `-18`, as the question says.

Putting the information into an equation, you get:

`2+4x=-18`

You then solve for `x`:

`2+4x=-18`
`4x=-20`
`therefore` `x=-5`