what is 9 + w/4 =-5

Question

I am doing pre Algebra and I am a little confused 

Answer 1

9 + w/4 = -5

 

isolate the variable in one side:

 

w/4 = -5 - 9

 

w/4 = -14

 

multiply both sides by 4:

 

4(w/4) = -56

 

w = -56

Answer 2

So, it looks like they want you to solve for "w".  When there is only one variable, you usually solve the problem by putting that variable on one side of the equals sign, and all of the numbers on the other.  When doing this, it helps to remember your orders of operation (i.e. exponential, multiply/divide, add/subtract) except that you kind of want to do them backwards.  In this case, for example, it will be easier if you move the 9 over to the right hand side first.  You start with:

 

9 + w/4 = -5

 

Then you subtract 9 from both sides so you get:

 

9 - 9 + w/4 = -5 -9

or

0 + w/4 = -14

or

w/4 = -14

 

Now, you want to move the 4 over so you multiply both sides by 4 and get:

 

(w/4) * 4 = -14 * 4

or

w*(4/4) = -56

or

w*1 = -56

 

which means

 

w = -56

 

And that's your answer.