12 less than the product of 3 and a number is equal to 5

Answer 1

You translate the words into numbers and transactions in the same order as written. Except when there is the word “than.” This means that the number that is before “than” in the word problem goes after the transaction symbol, and the number that comes after the word “than” goes before the symbol. Ex: 2 less than 3: 3 - 2 (note 2 is after and 3 is before, opposite of what the word problem said)

Also, you need to know what some of the words mean in order to properly translate:

Product of: Multiplication

A number: Unknown, so represented by a variable (a letter)

Is equal to: total (or can just be “is” only)

So, translating 12 less than the product of 3 and a number is equal to 5. (I will use “n” for the number)

3n - 12 = 5

Then use the inverse properties and simplification to “isolate the variable.”

3n - 12 + 12 = 5 + 12

3n = 17

3n/3 = 17/3

n = 17/3 (or 5.66 [with 6 repeating]

Answer 2

x = a number

product of 3 and a number = 3x

12 less than the product of 3 and a number = 3x - 12

12 less than the product of 3 and a number is equal to 5: 3x - 12 = 5

solve for x: 3x - 12 = 5

3x = 17

x = 17/3