<span>If 3 is added to the number: x + 3 b) ...and the sum is tripled.. "The sum" is "x + 3" so: 3(x+3) c) ...the result is 27 more than the number. 27 more than the number is x + 27 d) Put it all together: 3(x + 3) = x + 27 Solve for x: 1) Distribute the left side of the equation: 3x + 9 = x + 27
2) Subtract x from each side of the equation: 2x + 9 = 27 3) Subtract 9 from each side of the equation: 2x = 18 4) Solve for x: x = 9 Check: 1) x = 9 2) 3(x + 3) = x + 27 3) 3 ([9] + 3) = [9] + 27 4) 3(12) = 9 + 27 5) 36 = 36
