Question

Question: One third of a number, decreased by thirty-six is at most twenty-two.

Answer 1

The number:                         x
one third of the number:    $\frac13x$
decreased 36:                   -36
at most means equal or less:    ≤

So, we get:                            $\frac13x-36\leq22$
add 36 to both sides:         $\frac13x-36+36\leq22+36$
                                                         $\frac13x\leq58$
Multiply both sides by 3:         $3\cdot\frac13x\leq3\cdot58$
                                                   $~\ \ \ x\leq 174\\\\ x\in(-\infty\ ;\ 174\ \textgreater$     

Answer 2

First write it out.
1/3x - 36 ≥ 22
Add 36 to both sides
1/3x ≥ 58
divide both sides by 1/3, and you get 174