The product of 7 and the opposite of a number is decreased by 28. If the resulting number is -35, what is the number?

Question

The product of 7 and the opposite of a number is decreased by 28. If the resulting number is -35, what is the number?

Answer 1

The product of 7 and the opposite of the number: 7(-x) = -7x

-7x - 28 = -35

-7x = -7

x = 1

The number is 1.

Answer 2

-7x - 28 = -35 (-28 each side)

-7x = -7 (divide each side by -7)

x= 1(Answer!)

Check answer (plug-in original equation)

-7x - 28 = - 35 (Equation)

7(-1) - 28 = -35 (Plug-in)

-7- 28 = -35 (Evaluate)

-35 = - 35 (Check!)