Word problem

Question

Three times a number added to 5 times a number is the same as seven times the number minus 5. 

 

The unknown number 

Answer 1

Hi Tiffany--

 

Two possible answers, depending on how you interpret the question (since there don't seem to be any parentheses...)

 

Here's one way to do it: "3 times a number added to 5 times a number" looks like:

 

3n + 5n, which in turn is 8n,

 

and 8n "is the same as" 7 times the number minus 5, so...

 

8n = 7n - 5

 

When you combine terms, you get n = - 5

 

OR, if you interpret it as 8n = 7(n -5), or 8n = 7n - 35, 

 

then n would be - 35.

 

They both work, depending on which way you read the question.

 

Hope this helps. :-)

 

Matt in New York