Question

solve the equation for y.
4y = -16

Explanation:

Step1: Isolate y by dividing both sides by 4.

To solve for \( y \) in the equation \( 4y = -16 \), we divide each side of the equation by 4. This is based on the division property of equality, which states that if we divide both sides of an equation by the same non - zero number, the two sides remain equal. So we have \(\frac{4y}{4}=\frac{-16}{4}\).

Step2: Simplify both sides.

Simplifying the left - hand side, \(\frac{4y}{4}\) simplifies to \( y \) because 4 divided by 4 is 1, and \( 1\times y=y \). Simplifying the right - hand side, \(\frac{-16}{4}=-4\) since 16 divided by 4 is 4, and the negative sign is carried over.

Answer:

\( y = - 4 \)