five times the difference of a number x and 3 is the same as 4 less than x. what is the number?

Answer 1

Hi Natalie,

you have to understand what they are saying in the problem..

here it said the no is X , now we have to see the conditions given...

Difference of the no x and and 3 written as x-3 , and 5 times of this will be written as 5 *( x-3 )

again from the problem another condition is 4 less than x means, x- 4

now put the equal sign between two equations formed ,

5* ( x- 3 ) = x - 4

eliminating the Bracket above we get,

5x - 15 = x - 4

subtracting x from both sides , 5x - x - 15 = x - x - 4

4x - 15 = - 4 

adding 15 on both sides , 4x - 15 + 15 = -4 + 15

4x = 11

dividing by 4 both sides ,

x = 11/4 ...or 2.75 required no. is a fraction or a decimal