Mariana R.

asked • 11/01/15

The difference of 8 and a number and the number increased by 9 is 24. What is the number?

The difference of 8 and a number is 13. What is the number ? 

D DOUGLAS C.

it seems like the question is what is the number.  The number is 13.  I don't think that they asked for what numbers and 8 make a difference of 13.  The difference of 8 and 13 is 5 or -5 or the absolute difference is 5.
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11/02/15

Andrew M.

It says "The diference of eight and a number is thirteen."
 
"The difference of 8 and a number" means
8-x   or   x-8
 
"is 13" means = 13
 
8-x = 13    or    x-8=13
x= -5         or    x=21
 
Most would fo with 8-x and answer x=-5
 
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11/02/15

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Andrew M. answered • 11/02/15

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There are two ways to look at the question..
The difference of 8 and a number is 13
 
We either have  8-x = 13   or    x-8 = 13
                        -x = 5             x = 13+8
                         x = -5            x = 21
 
On a number line both -5 and 21 are 13 units
away from 8
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