If the sum of a number and eight is tripled, the result is two less than twice the number. How do you find the number?

1 Answer
Tony B
May 31, 2018

#x=-26#

With a word question you break it down into parts slowly building the equation (s) that model it.

Explanation:

Splitting the question down into its component parts.

If the sum of a number: #->........................" "x+?#
and 8: #->................................................." "x+8#
is trippled: #->................" "3xx(x+8) -> 3(x+8)#
The result is: #->....................................." "3(x+8)=?#
2 less than :#->......................................" "3(x+8)=?-2#
twice the number:#->............................." "3(x+8)=2x-2#
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Multiply out the brackets

#3x+24=2x-2#

#3x-2x=-2-24#

#x=-26#

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