The product of a number and four increases by 16 is -2

Question

The product of a number and four increases by 16 is -2

Algebra

Answer 1

The word product means we multiply:

•

The words "a number" refer to a variable. Let's call is n

n•

The word "four" is 4.

n•4

This can be written as just 4n

4n

The word "increases" mean we add

4n +

16 means 16

4n + 16

The word "is" means equality

4n + 16 =

-2 means -2

4n + 16 = -2

This is the equation described by the sentence. To solve for the variable "n" use reverse PEMDAS (SADMEP).

First we subtract 16 from both sides to eliminate the 16

4n + 16 = -2

- 16 - 16

4n = -18

Then we divide by the coefficient of n (4).

4n = -18

4 4

n= -18/4 = -9/2 = -4.5