The sum of five and eight time a number...

Question

The sum of five and eight times a number is the same as fifty plus one-half that number. Find the number.

Answer 1

First set up the equation:  5+8x=50+(1/2)x

Second, Isolate the variable by subtracting 5 from both sides:  8x=45+(1/2)x

Third, Subtract (1/2)x from both sides:  8x-(1/2)x=45

Fourth, multiply both side by 2:  16x-x=90

Fifth, combine like terms:  15x=90

Then divide by 15:  x=6

 

Now lets check:

 

5+8*6=50+(1/2)*6

5+48=50+(1/2)*6

53=50+(1/2)*6

53=50+3

53=53

 

Answer 6 is correct.