Cristian M. answered • 04/07/21
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−34 times a number minus 89 is equal to −41 less than the number.
Translate this directly! Let x be the unknown quantity.
"-34 times a number minus 89" becomes -34x - 89.
"is equal to" becomes =.
"-41 less than the number" becomes x - (-41).
You now have an equation:
-34x - 89 = x - (-41)
Solve this equation for x. Don't be surprised if your answer is a fraction. I hope this helps!
Cristian M.
Also, there is potential for ambiguity for the first part, -34 times a number minus 89. Is the number multiplied by -34 and then subtracted? In which case, I still go by -34x - 89. Or is 89 taken away from the number, and then that difference is multiplied by -34? Then the expression becomes -34(x - 89). The first interpretation is more reasonable, but always be wary of how you interpret the language of questions like this one.04/07/21