Question

If you start with a number, add 5, then multiply by 7, the result is 133. what was the original number

Answer 1

The original number was:  " 14 " .

____________________________________
 a + 5 = b ;

 b * 7 = 133 .
______________________________________________
What is:  "a" ?
______________________________________________
133 / 7 = 19 = b ;

a + 5 = b = 19 ;

a + 5 = 19 ;

Subtract "5" from each side of the equation;
to isolate "a" on one side of the equation; and to solve for "a" ;
_______________________________________________
    a + 5 − 5 = 19 − 5  ;

to get:
________________________________________________
             a = 14  .
________________________________________________
 Let us check our answer:

Start with "14" ;

Add "5" :   "14 + 5 = 19 " .
______________________
then multiply by "7" :  "19 * 7"
__________________________
and the result is: 133 ?
__________________________
   19 * 7 = ? 133 ? Yes!
__________________________