Question

I am thinking of a number. If you multiply my number by 4, add -4 to the product, and then take 1/3 of the sum, the result is -6. Find my number

Answer 1

The easiest way to solve this is to create an equation. Let's let the variable n represent the unknown number.

1/3(4n - 4) = -6

First, we should divide both sides by 1/3, to cancel it out on the left side of the equation.

4n - 4 = -18

Next, we should add 4 to both sides to cancel out the -4 on the left side.

4n = -14

Finally, we should divide both sides by 4, to get the variable n alone on the left side.

n = -3.5

Therefore, the number is -3.5.

You know that this is the answer because if you plug it back into the orginal equation it works.

:)