What is “Nine times the difference of two and a number is forty more than twice the number”

Question

I’m having trouble making this word problem into an equation

Answer 1

Let's take it piece by piece.

 

Nine times the difference. Well, times means multiply and difference is the result of subtraction.

 

The difference of 2 and a number. 2 - n (the difference of a number and 2 would be n - 2)

 

9(2 - n)

 

Is means equals. 40 more than twice the number. Twice the number is 2n. 40 more than that is 2n + 40.

 

9(2 - n) = 2n + 40

 

Are you supposed to find the number?

 

18 - 9n = 2n + 40

11n = -22

n = -2

Answer 2

Hi Gigi,

 

9(2-x)=40+2x

 

If you need to solve for x:

 

18 - 9x = 40+2x

 

-22 = 11x

 

-2 = x