a number decreased by 15 is 19

Question

solve

Answer 1

We can use x to identify the unknown number in this scenario.

The questions asks "what number is decreased by 15 to get 19". Lets replace the words for symbols:

Decreased: Subtract

To get: Equals

A number: X

Now lets see what the problem looks like:

x - 15= 19

a number (x) decreased (-) by 15 is (=) 19

Now it is time to isolate the x, or bring everything else to the opposite side of the x.

Since the x has a -15 on the same side of the equal sign, we need to do the opposite to cancel it out, or +15. Whatever we do to one side, we must do to the other. So we add 15 to both sides.

x-15+15=19+15

After simplifying, we can determine that x=34

Answer 2

Let "n" represent "a number"

Then n - 15 = 19

(Noticed that the word "decreased" means subtract and the word "is" means an equals sign.)

Add 15 to both sides of the equation to get n = 34

The number is 34