Solve (x + 4)/5 = 4 (Step by Step)

How to solve the two-step equation (x + 4)/5 = 4, where x + 4 is divided by 5, with every step explained and a quick check of the answer.

Here 4 is added to x first, and then the whole thing is divided by 5. Undo them in reverse order: undo the divide by 5 by multiplying by 5, then take away the 4.

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Step-by-step solution

Solve (x + 4)/5 = 4

Start with the equation: (x + 4)/5 = 4.
Multiply both sides by 5 to undo the ÷ 5: ((x + 4)/5) × 5 = 4 × 5, so x + 4 = 20.
Subtract 4 from both sides to undo the + 4: x + 4 − 4 = 20 − 4, so x = 16.
Check your answer: put x = 16 back in. (16 + 4)/5 = 20/5 = 4. Both sides match, so x = 16 is correct. ✓

Answer: x = 16

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Frequently asked questions

Why multiply by 5 first?

The brackets mean the whole x + 4 is divided by 5. Dividing happened last, so it is undone first: multiply both sides by 5 to get x + 4 = 20.

Why subtract 4 instead of adding it?

The equation adds 4 to x. Subtracting 4 undoes that, so the + 4 and − 4 cancel and leave x by itself.

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