What is the value of s that makes the equation true?
1/4s - 4 - 2/3s = 5

1/4s - 4 - 2/3s = 5

Would take it to mean:

(1/4)s - 4 - (2/3)s = 5

s/4 - 4 - 2s/3 = 5

s/4 - 2s/3 = 5 + 4

(s/4)*(3/3) - (2s/3)*(4/4) = 9

3s/12 - 8s/12 = 9

(3s - 8s)/12 = 9

-5s/12 = 9

cross multiply

-5s = 9*12

s = 9*12/-5

s = -21.6    

Hope this helps.

1/4=.25
2/3=.66
.25s-4-.66s=5
-4-.41s=5
+4. +4
-.41s= 9
s= -21.9