The difference of three times a number and 4 is -19 .

Answer 1

I assume you want to find the number.

Let x be your number in question.

Three times your number is: 3x

The difference of three times a number and 4 is: 3x-4

Putting all together and identify your equation: 3x-4=-19

Solve your equation:

3x-4=-19

3x=-19+4

3x=-15

x=-5

Your number is: -5

Check your answer:

3(-5)-4=-19

-15-4=-19

-19=-19 True.

Answer 2

Let x be the number we are trying to find.

Three times that number would be 3x

We would express the difference of three times that number and 4 as 3x - 4

That difference is -19, so we can write 3x - 4 = -19, then solve for x.

3x - 4 = -19

3x - 4 + 4 = -19 + 4 (add 4 to both sides)

3x = -15 (simplify)

3x/3 = -15/3 (divide both sides by 3)

x = -5