If the problem is: 5log5(2v + 4) - 4 = -9
Add 4 to both sides: 5log5(2v + 4) = -5
Divide both sides by 5: log5(2v + 4) = -1
Write into exponential notation: 2v + 4 = 5-1 ---> 2v + 4 = 1/5
Subtract 4 from both sides: 2v = -3.8
Divide both sides by 2: v = -1.9
I think that it is base 10 too
5log(5)*(2v+4)-4=-9
5log(5)*(2v+4)=-5
log(5)*(2v+4)=-1
(2v+4)=-1/log(5)
2v=-1/log(5)-4
v=[-1/log(5)-4]/2
$${\frac{\left({\mathtt{\,-\,}}{\frac{{\mathtt{1}}}{{log}_{10}\left({\mathtt{5}}\right)}}{\mathtt{\,-\,}}{\mathtt{4}}\right)}{{\mathtt{2}}}} = -{\mathtt{2.715\: \!338\: \!279\: \!036\: \!696\: \!4}}$$
Actually looking at the numbers Gino's interpretation is probably correct.
The question shoulld not have had the * sign in it :)