To find this, turn the word question into an equation. "One less than" means - 1, which is 1 being subtracted from something. "half a number" means 1/2x, since 1/2 is half and x is unknown. "is 12" means = 12, which is something equals 12. Putting this in order would be 1/2x, then - 1, then = 12. As an equation, this is 1/2x - 1 = 12. So the equation is 1/2x - 1 = 12
Now you must find the number by solving this equation. 1/2x - 1 = 12 First, add 1 to both sides. 12 + 1 = 13 1/2x = 13 Now multiply both sides by 2. This way, x will be isolated since 1/2x • 2 = 1x, and 1x = x. 13 • 2 = 26 x = 26 The number is 26.
