Let's first define solve. Solve means to get the variable, or unknown, by itself. So, we know that we've solved the equation if we get our variable, x, by itself.
Let's look at the problem like this: What number, minus 1/2, is equal to 4?
To solve this problem, let's reverse the order.
X-1/2=4
Since it is -1/2, let's add 1/2 to each side to cancel the one half out, since -1/2+1/2=0
X-1/2+1/2=4+1/2
Now, we can simplify!
X=4 1/2
That is your answer! X=4 1/2 or as an improper fraction 9/2.
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