# Solving a 'two step equation' $-6+x/4=-5$

I need help with the break down of this problem. I need to know exactly what I need to do to solve this problem. Please help!

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Can you solve for $y$ in $-6+y=-5$? Then multiply what you got by $4$, and you're done. –  Pedro Tamaroff Apr 18 '13 at 20:32

Hint: What do you have to add to $-6$ to get $-5$? What do you have to divide by $4$ to get the answer to my previous question?

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thank you!!!!!! –  Deriah Apr 18 '13 at 21:09
Put another way: $$-6+\frac x4=-5\\-6+\frac x4=-6+1\\\frac x4=1\\\frac x4=\frac44\\x=4$$ –  Cameron Buie Apr 18 '13 at 21:13
and the solution of $$\sin(x)=\sin(\varphi)$$ is $x=\varphi$ ? –  miracle173 Sep 26 '13 at 21:20
@miracle173: That is a solution, certainly. The difference there is that we're no longer dealing with only one-to-one functions. –  Cameron Buie Sep 27 '13 at 6:00
That is what I wanted to point to.When I read your description and your example it looks like pattern matching. But pattern matching is not sufficient to find all solution as the example $\sin(x)=\sin(\varphi)$ shows. The essential steps (subtracting $-6$ from and mutliplying $4$ to both side of the equation) are not mentioned. I think representing $-5$ as $-6 +1$ and $1$ as $\frac{4}{4}$ is absolutely dispensable and guides in the wrong direction. –  miracle173 Sep 27 '13 at 9:20

I would think it through this way:

The first task is to get the x term (x times something) by itself on one side, and everything else on the other side of the equation. You can do that by adding 6 to both sides (to cancel the -6). Then you have:

$$\frac{x}{4} = 1$$

Now you want to get x all by itself, so you can multiply both sides by 4:

$$x = 4$$

Done.

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