Question

One number is 4 less than 3 times another number. If their sum is 16, find the numbers. Which of the following equations could be used to solve the problem if x represents a number? 3x - 4 = 16 4x - 4 = 16 4x - 12 = 16

Answer 1

Let the other number be 'y' and the other number be 'x'

We know that, y, is the result of subtracting 4 from the triple of 'x'

Translating this into a Mathematical sentence we have y = 3x - 4

We also know that x + y = 16

Writing y  as 3x - 4, we have x + (3x - 4) = 16

Simplified as 4x-4=16

Correct answer: 4x-4=16