Question

How do you solve `2x - 4 = -4`?

Answer 1

`x=0`
Look at the method. It will help you solve other problems.

Explanation:

Given: `2x-4=-4`

The objective is to get `x` on its own.

`color(blue)("Step 1")`
Isolate the x-terms

Add 4 to both sides

`( 2x-4) color(brown)(+4) = (-4) color(brown)(+4)`

The purpose of the brackets is to show what part of the previous equation is going to be changed. They serve no other purpose!

`2x +color(brown) ((-4+4)) = color(brown)((-4+4))`

`2x +0 = 0`

`color(blue)("Step 2")`

Divide both sides by 2

`(2x)/(color(brown)(2)) =0/(color(brown)(2)`

`2/(color(brown)(2))x = 0`

`color(green)("But "2/2" is another way of writing "1`

`1 times x = 0`

`x=0`