How do I solve this equation 4x+1<2x-19

Question

I am having a problem with this

Can you help me?

Answer 1

Mary,

The answer is -10>x. This is an algebra problem. Here's how you solve it:

4x+1<2x-19  

 

The way to read it is: four x's plus one is smaller than two x's -19. This means many numbers could be x, so the way to figure out if you are correct at the end is to just try a number that should apply, and see if the statement is true.

 

First step is to add -1 to both sides, like any algebra problem:

4x+1-1<2x-19-1.........................4x<2x-20

If you add -2x to both sides, you can isolate x terms:......4x-2x<2x-2x-20..............2x<-20

 

Divide both by 2 to get x alone:         2x/2<-20/2...............x<-10

 

This tells you that x has to be less than negative ten. It can be anything, but must be less than -10

 

try -12, and see if it works

 

4(-12)+1<2(-12)-19..............-47<-43       negative 47 is less than -43. this is true, so the statement is true. try any other number and it will work too .

Hope this helps you! Good luck!