Chapter 4: Problem 516
In the following exercises, solve. $$-4 w=26$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
w = -\frac{13}{2} or w = -6.5
Step by step solution
01
- Isolate the variable
First, divide both sides of the equation by -4 to isolate the variable \(w\). This involves performing the same operation on both sides of the equation to keep it balanced.
02
- Simplify the equation
After dividing both sides by -4, the equation becomes \(w = \frac{26}{-4}\).
03
- Simplify the fraction
Next, simplify the fraction \(\frac{26}{-4}\) by dividing the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 2. This gives \(w = \frac{-13}{2}\).
04
- Write the final answer
The final simplified form of \(w\) is \(-\frac{13}{2}\) or -6.5.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Isolate the Variable
In the given equation \-4w = 26\, our goal is to find the value of \( w \). To achieve this, we need to isolate the variable.
Isolating the variable means getting \( w \) alone on one side of the equation. In this case, \( w \) is being multiplied by -4.
To isolate \( w \), we perform the opposite operation. Since -4 is multiplied by \( w \), we divide both sides of the equation by -4. This keeps the equation balanced:
\[ \frac{-4w}{-4} = \frac{26}{-4} \]
Now we have:
\[ w = \frac{26}{-4} \]
Isolating the variable means getting \( w \) alone on one side of the equation. In this case, \( w \) is being multiplied by -4.
To isolate \( w \), we perform the opposite operation. Since -4 is multiplied by \( w \), we divide both sides of the equation by -4. This keeps the equation balanced:
\[ \frac{-4w}{-4} = \frac{26}{-4} \]
Now we have:
\[ w = \frac{26}{-4} \]
Simplify Fractions
In our equation, we now have \( w = \frac{26}{-4} \). This fraction can be simplified.
Simplifying a fraction means making it as simple as possible while keeping its value the same.
We look for a common factor in the numerator (26) and the denominator (-4):
\[ \frac{26 ÷ 2}{-4 ÷ 2} = \frac{13}{-2} \]
So, the simplified form is:
\( w = -\frac{13}{2} \)
Simplifying a fraction means making it as simple as possible while keeping its value the same.
We look for a common factor in the numerator (26) and the denominator (-4):
- The common factor here is 2.
\[ \frac{26 ÷ 2}{-4 ÷ 2} = \frac{13}{-2} \]
So, the simplified form is:
\( w = -\frac{13}{2} \)
Division in Algebra
Division in algebra follows the same basic principles as regular arithmetic. However, it can help to remember some key rules:
- Division by a negative number will change the sign of the result.
- Always perform the same operation on both sides of the equation to keep it balanced.
- After dividing, simplify the resulting fraction if possible.
- \( w = \frac{26}{-4} \)
- Which simplified to \( w = -\frac{13}{2} \)
Negative Numbers
Handling negative numbers correctly is crucial in algebra. Here are some key points:
- When dividing by a negative number, the sign of the quotient changes. This is why \( \frac{26}{-4} \) results in a negative fraction.
- Negative numbers can appear in different forms in algebra, such as coefficients (like -4 in -4\( w \)) or in fractions.
- The negative sign indicates that the value of \( w \) is less than zero.
- Finding the correct sign is important for the solution.