Let's solve the equation step-by-step:
Given:
[tex]\[ -4t = 20 \][/tex]
Our goal is to isolate [tex]\( t \)[/tex] on one side of the equation. To do this, we need to remove the coefficient of [tex]\( -4 \)[/tex] that is multiplied by [tex]\( t \)[/tex]. We can accomplish this by dividing both sides of the equation by [tex]\( -4 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ \frac{-4t}{-4} = \frac{20}{-4} \][/tex]
On the left-hand side, [tex]\( -4t \)[/tex] divided by [tex]\( -4 \)[/tex] simplifies to just [tex]\( t \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ t = \frac{20}{-4} \][/tex]
Next, we simplify the fraction [tex]\( \frac{20}{-4} \)[/tex]. Dividing 20 by -4 gives us:
[tex]\[ t = -5 \][/tex]
Thus, the solution to the equation [tex]\( -4t = 20 \)[/tex] is:
[tex]\[ t = -5 \][/tex]
