Question

Find the value of the variable.

$-16=-4k$

Short answer

The value of the variable is $\mathit{k}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{4}$.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Divide by 4.

To find the value of the variable k in the equation $-16=-4k$, divide both sides of the equation by 4.

$-\frac{16}{4}=-\frac{4k}{4}$

Step 2. Simplify the equation.

To further simplify, cancel the common factors of 4 on both sides.

$\begin{array}{l}-\frac{4\times 4}{4}=-\frac{4k}{4}\\ -4=-k\end{array}$

Step 3. Multiply by -1.

In order to obtain k, multiply the equation $-4=-k$from both sides with $-1$.

$\begin{array}{l}-4\times \left(-1\right)=-k\times \left(-1\right)\\ 4=k\end{array}$

Step 4. Verify the value.

In order to verify the value of k, substitute 4 for k into the equation $-16=-4k$.

$\begin{array}{l}-16=-4\times 4\\ -16=-16\text{True}\end{array}$

Hence, the value of the variable is $k=4$.