Question

Write two different expressions that represent the quantity x decreased by 30%.

Answer 1

Answer:

Step-by-step explanation:

x - 30 = 14 - 3x

    4x = 44

      x = 11

Let's call the unknown number x

Now let's decrease it by 30, that is x-30

Now let's write out "14 decreased by three times the number", that is 14 - 3x

The problem says these are the same, that is x - 30 = 14 - 3x

We now want to isolate, or solve for, x

Move the x to one side of the equation by adding 3x to both sides

3x + x -30 = 14 - 3x + 3x

4x -30 = 14

Now move the 30 to the right hand side by adding 30 to both sides

4x - 30 + 30 = 14 + 30

4x = 44

Now all we have to do to get x is divide both sides by 4

4x/4 = 44/4

x = 11