1. **State the problem:** Solve the equation $$\frac{x - 5}{4} = -1$$ for $x$. 2. **Use the formula:** To solve for $x$, multiply both sides of the equation by 4 to eliminate the denominator. 3. **Multiply both sides by 4:** $$4 \times \frac{x - 5}{4} = 4 \times (-1)$$ 4. **Cancel the 4 in the numerator and denominator:** $$\cancel{4} \times \frac{x - 5}{\cancel{4}} = -4$$ 5. **Simplify:** $$x - 5 = -4$$ 6. **Add 5 to both sides to isolate $x$:** $$x - 5 + 5 = -4 + 5$$ 7. **Simplify:** $$x = 1$$ **Final answer:** $$x = 1$$