5 times a certain number is 6 less than the product of 3 and the same number

Answer 1

5 times a certain number is 6 less than the product of 3 and the same number

We have to decode these words.

Five times a number is six less than three times the same number.

5 x n = -6 3 x n

This can be rewritten again in a mathematical formula:

5n = 3n - 6

If we subtract 3n from both sides we get:

5n - 3n = 3n - 3n -6

this gives us:

2n = -6

Now we divide both sides by 2, and we get:

2n/2 = -6/2

Which becomes :

n = -3

Our number is negative three.

Our next step is to plug this value for n back into our original equation to check it:

5 (-3) = 3(-3) -6

-15 = -9 -6 = (-9) + (-6) = -9 and -6 = -15

-15 = -15

It checks out, so -3 is the value of our number.

Richard Moore, EIT, MRE

retired math & science teacher

Answer 2

5x = 3x - 6

2x = -6

x=-3

5(-3) = -15

and

3(-3) = -9, which , when decreased by 6, gives -15.

So x = -3