Solve $-19=x-4$
A) $x=-76$
B) $x=25$
C) $x=-23$
D) $x=-15$
Answer (2)
Add 4 to both sides of the equation: − 19 + 4 = x − 4 + 4 .
Simplify the left side: − 15 = x − 4 + 4 .
Simplify the right side: − 15 = x .
The solution is x = − 15 .
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are given the equation − 19 = x − 4 and asked to solve for x . This means we need to isolate x on one side of the equation.
Isolating x To isolate x , we need to undo the subtraction of 4. We can do this by adding 4 to both sides of the equation. This gives us: − 19 + 4 = x − 4 + 4
Simplifying the Equation Now, we simplify both sides of the equation. On the left side, − 19 + 4 = − 15 . On the right side, − 4 + 4 = 0 , so we are left with just x . This gives us: − 15 = x
Stating the Solution Therefore, the solution to the equation is x = − 15 .
Examples
In real life, this type of equation can be used to calculate changes in temperature. For example, if the temperature was x degrees and then dropped by 4 degrees to reach -19 degrees, we can use the equation x − 4 = − 19 to find the initial temperature x . By solving the equation, we find that the initial temperature was -15 degrees.
We solved the equation − 19 = x − 4 by adding 4 to both sides, leading to x = − 15 . The correct choice from the provided options is D) x = − 15 .
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