Question

The product of a number and 4 increased by 16 is -2

Answer 1

Let n = the unknown number

"The product of a number and 4" = 4 * n = 4n

"increased by 16" = + 16

Set it all equal to - 2.

4n + 16 = - 2

Subtract 16 from both sides to get constants on one side and variables on the other.

4n = - 2 - 16

Combine like terms:

4n = - 18

Divide both sides by 4 to isolate variable n.

n = - 18 / 4

= - 4 and 2/4 = - 4 and 1/2