# How do you solve 4- ( x - 7) = 36?

Apr 30, 2018

$x = - 25$

#### Explanation:

So first, you expand the brackets (the minus sign basically means $- 1$):

$4 - \left(x - 7\right) = 36$

$4 - x + 7 = 36$

Then, add up the common terms, so the $+ 4$ and $+ 7$:

$- x + 11 = 36$

Isolate $x$ by subtracting $11$ from the other side:

$- x = 25$

$x$ cannot be a negative, so divide both sides by $- 1$ and get the final answer of:

$x = - 25$

Apr 30, 2018

Work backwards to solve for x

#### Explanation:

The order of operations backwards is PESADM
Think about this way "If you lose your cell phone in PE you are a SAD M(an)

To solve first remove parenthesis and exponents (PE) Then move everything that can be added or subtracted away from the variable (SA) working backwards. Last Divide or Multiply (saD Man) to isolate the variable again doing the opposite.

$4 - \left(x - 7\right) = 36$

$4 - x + 7 = 36$ (distribution of the - )

$- x + 11 = 36$ ( combining like terms)

$- x + \cancel{11} - \cancel{11} = 36 - 11$ ( opposite of addition )

$- x = 25$

Divide both sides by $- 1$:

$- \frac{x}{-} 1 = \frac{25}{-} 1$ This gives

$x = - 25$