1. **State the problem:** Solve for $w$ in the equation $$\frac{5w}{4} = -25$$. 2. **Formula and rule:** To solve for $w$, use the multiplicative property of equality which states that you can multiply both sides of an equation by the same nonzero number without changing the equality. 3. **Isolate $w$:** Multiply both sides by 4 to cancel the denominator: $$4 \times \frac{5w}{4} = 4 \times (-25)$$ 4. **Cancel common factors:** $$\cancel{4} \times \frac{5w}{\cancel{4}} = -100$$ 5. **Simplify:** $$5w = -100$$ 6. **Divide both sides by 5 to solve for $w$:** $$w = \frac{-100}{5}$$ 7. **Cancel common factors:** $$w = \frac{-100}{\cancel{5}} = -20$$ 8. **Final answer:** $$w = -20$$ This means $w$ equals negative twenty after simplifying the equation.