Question

the product of a number and 4 increased by 16 is -2

Answer 1

Let x= the number

4x+16 (I think you're saying 4 times a number plus 16 is -2. If not sorry.)

4x+16=-2
Subtract 16 from both sides of the equation

4x=-18
-4.5=x

Check: 4x+16=-2
4(-4.5)+16=-2
-18+16
-2=-2

So your answer is -4.5