To isolate the variable [tex]\( x \)[/tex] in the equation [tex]\( -5 = -13 + 4x \)[/tex], the first step is to eliminate the constant term on the right-hand side. The constant term is [tex]\( -13 \)[/tex]. To do this, we need to add [tex]\( 13 \)[/tex] to both sides of the equation.
This step ensures that we move the constant to the left-hand side, simplifying the right side to leave the term involving [tex]\( x \)[/tex] isolated.
So, the first step is to add 13 to both sides.
Hence, the correct answer is:
add 13 to both sides.
