Answer:
Step 1 of 2:
-26x - 5 = x - 56
Step 2 of 2:
17/9 or 1.89
Step-by-step explanation:
1. Putting word statement in algebraic form
Step 1:
Let x be the unknown number ==> x is the unknown variable to be used in the equation and to be solved for
Step 2:
-26 times a number minus 5 ==> -26x - 5
Step 3:
is equal to 56 less than the number ==> = x - 56
Putting it all together:
-26x - 5 = x - 56
2. Solving the equation
-26x - 5 = x - 56
1. Subtract x from both sides:
-26x - 5 - x = x - x -56
-26x -x - 5 = -56
-27x - 5 = -56
2. Add 5 to both sides
-27x - 5 + 5 = -56+ 5
-27x = -51
x = -51/-27 (dividing both sides by -27)
x = 51/27 (negative divide by negative results in positive)
Reduce 51/27 by dividing numerator and denominator by 3
x = (51 ÷ 3)/(27 ÷ 3) = 17/9
= 1.88888.... = 1.89 rounded to two decimal places
