ten less than a number is at most 6 find the number

Question

ten less than a number is at most 6 find the number

Answer 1

Word (story) problems use words and phrases that must be translated into concise, precise math expressions (with variables and operations).  A translation dictionary is a great help in learning a new language, so make up one:

 

   word      MEANS       symbol or operation

     of                                  *

   less than                          -

     is equal                         =

    is at most                       ≤

    is at least                        ≥

   ... (add to this list with each new problem)

 

Translate:

   "ten less than a number is at most 6"     means

      - 10       +       x             ≤         6 

 

The math:

   re-write:     -10 + x ≤ 6

                 x ≤ 16       [adding +10 to both sides of inequality retains sense of inequality]

 

This is true for any number less than or equal to 16.