When 4 is added to one-half the number x, the result is the same as if 2 had been subtracted from the number x. How do you write an equation that expresses this relationship?

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Answer 1 · 2016-12-13T14:14:34

#4 + (1/2 xx x) = x - 2#

To write the equation expressing this relationship we can take this one phrase at a time:

"one-half the number x" can be written as:

#1/2 xx x#

"When 4 is added to" this expression we get:

#4 + (1/2 xx x)#

"the result is the same as" is the same as "=" so we can write:

#4 + (1/2 xx x) =#

"if two had been subtracted from the number x" can be written as:

#x - 2#

Putting this together gives us our full equation:

#4 + (1/2 xx x) = x - 2#