Three times the quantity of 2 more than a number is 57

Question

Three times the quantity of 2 more than a number is 57.

Answer 1

First write the words out as a math problem.

3 • (x + 2) = 57

"•" represents multiplication

"quantity" lets me know the next part is in parenthesis

"a number" is any variable or letter to stand for an unknown

"2 more than" represents addition

Now solve by isolating the variable. Start with the numbers outside the parenthesis and work your way inside. Divide both sides by 3 to undo the multiplication and cancel out the 3 • (inverse operations)

3 • (x + 2) = 57

÷3 ÷3

(x + 2) = 28.5

Now undo the addition by subtracting both sides by 2 (inverse operations).

x + 2 = 28.5

-2 -2

x = 26.5 is your answer