Question

-20 = -2(4 - x) what is the answer

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is x = -6.

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve this problem, we first must use the distributive property on the right side of the equation.  This means that we can take the coefficient (the number located on the outside of the parentheses) and multiply it by the terms inside the parentheses.  If performed correctly, we get the following:

-20 = -2(4 -x)

-20 = -2(4) - (-2)(x)

-20 = -8 + 2x

Next, we must begin to isolate the variable x on the right side of the equation.  To do this, we should begin by adding 8 to both sides to cancel out the -8 on the right side of the equation.

-20 + 8 = -8 + 8 + 2x

-12 = 2x

Finally, we should divide both sides by 2 to get rid of the coefficient of x on the right side of the equation.

-12/2 = 2x/2

x = -6

Therefore, your answer is x = -6.

To check this answer, you could substitute this value back into the original equation and make sure that it produces a true statement.

Hope this helps!