Solve 4 - x = 10

Step by step

The question

Question: solve 4 − x = 10.

1 Remove the 4

We want x by itself.

The 4 is in the way.

To remove 4, we take away 4.

We do it on both sides.

Why both sides?

The = sign means both sides are the same amount.

If we change only one side, they are not the same any more.

4 and − 4 make zero.

Cross them out.

10 − 4 = 6.

Now we have −x = 6.

2 Remove the −1

−x means −1 times x.

We want just x.

To remove times −1, we divide by −1.

We do it on both sides, so they stay equal.

−1 divided by −1 is 1.

So just x is left.

6 divided by −1 is −6.

So x = −6!

3 Check

Let's check: put −6 in place of x.

We get 10, the same as the right side.

So x = −6 is right!

Let's look back.

First: remove the 4.

Then: remove the −1.

Last: check.