Reset IP address but directory does not exist

[noobnonit]

I have tried to follow the instructions elsewhere on the forum to change the IP address - my internet derive provider changed the modem and this changed my network from 192.168.0.xxx to 192.168.4.xxx
First part went ok but when i followed the instructions elsewhere:
/etc/hosts
I got Permission denied
I tried
cd /etc/hosts
I got Not a directory
Then tried the same with etc/hostname
Got exactly the same results
I am NOT familiar with this kind of programming at all.
Could anyone help, with an explanation that even this fool can try to follow
Thank you

 

[pvps1]

these are files not directories (so cd fails)
open it with an editor e.g. with nano

nano /etc/hosts

 

[noobnonit]

these are files not directories (so cd fails)
open it with an editor e.g. with nano

nano /etc/hosts

Thank you. Worked perfectly