Question

five less than twice a number is equal to one half the difference of three times the number and 13. find the number.

Answer 1

That number would be -3.

For the purpose of solving this, let that number be x. Now write out the front side of the equation:

2x (twice a number) - 5 (five less than)

2x - 5

Now write out the other side

1/2 (one half of) (3x - 13) (The difference of 3 times the number and 13)

1/2(3x - 13)

Now set the two sides equal to each other and solve

2x - 5 = 1/2(3x - 13) ----> multiply both sides by 2

4x - 10 = 3x - 13 ----> subtract 3x from both sides

x - 10 = -13 -----> add 10 to both sides

x = -3