Question

A number is 5 more than 3 times another number. The sum of the two numbers is 33. As an equation, this is written x + 3x + 5 = 33, where x represents the smaller number. Plug in the numbers from the set {3, 5, 7, 9} to find the value of x.

Answer 1

For x=3
  3 + 3·3 + 5 = 17 ≠ 33

For x=5
  5 +3·5 + 5 = 25 ≠ 33

For x=7
  7 + 3·7 + 5 = 33 . . . . . this is the solution

For x=9
  9 + 3·9 + 5 = 41 ≠ 33