Question

There are 48 soccer teams in the springtown association. This is three less than three times the number of teams in the Lyon Association. How would you put this into an equation?

Answer 1

To put this into an equation let's start by labeling the Lyon Association as x.

And now lets look at the facts.

Since 48 = Three times the amount of teams minus three (aka three less than)

48 = (3 times X) - 3

If you need to solve for X

48 = (3 times X) - 3
  +3                    +3
51= 3 times X
   /3          /3
51/3 = X   

X= 17

Answer 2

$x \to the \ number \ of \ teams \ in \ Lyon \ Association \\\\ 48+3=3*x \\\\ 51=3*x \ |:3 \\\\ \boxed{x=17}$