17 is the sum of a number and 6

Question

How to put “17 is the sum of a number and 6” in an algebraic equation..? I have an assignment due today and don’t understand anything care to help?😢

Answer 1

Hi Jasmine,

In algebra, when we are considering a specific yet unknown number, we call it a "variable." When writing an equation with an unknown variable, we use the letter "x" to represent that unknown number.

In the statement you provided, “17 is the sum of a number and 6," "a number" is the unknown variable. So you would use "x" to represent it. I'm going to replace "a number" with "x" in the statement you provided:

"17 is the sum of x and 6."

Can you make that into an equation? Remember, an equation is just a mathematical statement with an equals sign in the middle, such as 1 + 1 = 2.

Let me know if you would like to schedule a lesson today to review your assignment.