Question

How do you solve `-4x - 4> 16`?

Answer 1

See the entire solution process below:

Explanation:

Step 1) Add `color(red)(4)` to each side of the inequality to isolate the `x` term while keeping the inequality balanced:

`-4x - 4 + color(red)(4) > 16 + color(red)(4)`

`-4x - 0 > 20`

`-4x > 20`

Step 2) Divide each side of the inequality by `color(blue)(-4)` to solve for `x` while keeping the inequality balanced. However, because we are multiplying or dividing an inequality by a negative term we must reverse the inequality operator:

`(-4x)/color(blue)(-4) color(red)(<) 20/color(blue)(-4)`

`(color(blue)(cancel(color(black)(-4)))x)/cancel(color(blue)(-4)) color(red)(<) -5`

`x < -5`