So, the goal when we have an equation is to find the value of the variable. So, let's isolate that variable on <em>one </em>side of the equation!
<em>* original equation </em> <em>5x + 4 = 49.
</em><em>* subtract four from both sides. if you do something on one side of the equation, you have to do it on the other. </em><em>5x + 4 - 4 = 49 - 4.
* now we are going to divide 5 on both sides to isolate x. 5x/5 = 45/5.