Double the difference between a number n and 5 is 32

Question

Double the difference between a number n and 5 is 32

Answer 1

Hi Derrick,

As given, let the number be n.

n=n

Now, "double the difference"

Double obviously refers to two times, difference implies subtraction. Keep that in mind.

So, this translates to:

2(n-5)

Now, "double the difference between a number n and 5 is 32"

The word is always implies an equals sign in these types of problems, so:

2(n-5)=32

Distribute:

2n-10=32

Add 10 on both sides:

2n=42

Divide by 2 on both sides:

n=21

Check: 2(21-5)=32

True statement. We're good to go. Translation from English to algebra is half the battle for these problems. I hope this helps.