first you want to add 5 to both sides to combine like terms!
4x - 5 = 15
4x = 20
then divide by 4 to get "x" by itself
x = 20/4 = 5
first you want to add 5 to both sides to combine like terms!
4x - 5 = 15
4x = 20
then divide by 4 to get "x" by itself
x = 20/4 = 5
Here's the steps:
4x - 5 = 15
We want to isolate x. So we will start by keeping x on one side and everything else to the other side of the equal sign.
4x - 5 + 5 = 15 + 5
Add 5 to both sides
4x = 20
Cancel and simplify
4x / 4 = 20 / 4
Divide both sides by 4
x = 5
Now, plug x = 5 back into the equation to show the proof.
4x - 5 = 15 x = 5
4(5) - 5 = 15 Simplify
20 - 5 = 15
15 = 15
Proven!
Stefanie A. answered 06/20/25
Experienced teacher excited to support and encourage all learners
First, isolate the variable to simplify the equation.
Step1: Add 5 to both sides
4x(-5+5)=4x
15+5=20
Step 2: Divide both sides by 4
4x/4=x
20/4=5
Simplified equation: x=5
Final Answer: x=5
Michael O. answered 06/20/25
Hello, this is Michael your math expert!
4x - 5 = 15
Think of it as making 'x' stand on its own.
Step 1. Add 5 to both sides of the equation
4x -5 + 5 = 15 + 15
Step 2. Simplify both sides of the equation
4x + 0 = 20
Step 3. Now remember we want to make 'x' stand on its own.
4x = 20
Step 4. Divide both sides by the coefficient of x which is 4
4x/4 = 20/4
Step 5. Now simplify
x = 20/4 = 5
x = 5
Hi there,
As a note, it is good to try your solution after solving an equation to verify that it is the correct solution.
Here we would substitute 5 for x and verify that this is correct:
4x - 5 = 15
4(5) - 5 = 20 - 5
20-5=15
Therefore this is the correct solution.
This is more important to try with more complicated equations.
Irene
4x-5 =15
add 5 to both sides
4x = 20
divide both sides by 4
x = 20/4 = 5
x=5 is the answer
or graph the original equation. use desmos on line or a TI83
then find the x intercept(s) = the real solution(s), if any
Ini O. answered 06/13/25
Algebra Tutor with 1 Year of Experience and Peer Support Skills
When you want to solve for x, you want to isolate x, so that it is alone.
To do this, you move 5 to the right side by performing the opposite operation. The opposite of subtraction (-) is addition (+), so we ADD 5 to BOTH sides of the equation to cancel 5 on the left and move it to the right.
4x–5 = 15
+5 +5
4x = 20
Now, we have moved the 5 to the right side, but we are not done yet. x is still not alone because it still has a 4 in front of it. 4x is the same thing as 4 TIMES x, so to move 4 to the right side, we perform the opposite operation of the multiplication sign (*), which is division (÷). This means we have to DIVIDE BY 4 on BOTH sides to cancel it out on the left and move it to the right.
4x = 20
4x ÷ 4 = 20 ÷ 4
x = 5
Now, x is completely alone on the left, so we have solved for x and got our value: 5.
Emily C. answered 06/12/25
Medical student with a B/S degree, experienced STEM and English tutor
My favorite thing to do is to solve algebra in a snow cone shape. It makes it so much more fun!
Step one write out your equation 4x-5=15
Step 2 we want to move our five to the right side since it is the only value without an x on the left
equation becomes 4x=20
Step 3 we want to divide both sides by 4 so that our x can be alone on the left
You will get x=5
Yeshumenesh Z. answered 06/12/25
Medical School Student, Biochem Grad (B.S) w/t multiple publications
Question: Solve for x:
4x – 5 = 15
Tip: When solving equations, your goal is to get the variable (x) by itself using inverse operations like adding/subtracting or multiplying/dividing.
Let's break it down together:
4x – 5 = 15
4x – 5 + 5 = 15 + 5
4x = 20
4x ÷ 4 = 20 ÷ 4
x = 5
Final Answer: x = 5
Bright T. answered 06/12/25
I will teach you mathematics in its simplest form
Solution: 4x–5= 15
4x= 15+5 collect like terms
4x=20 divide both sides by 4
4x/4= 20/4 = x= 5. 5 is the answer.
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