Five less than 6 times a number is the same as the number plus 10. What is the number?
2 Answers
3
Explanation:
From the question, you get an expression of
Move all
Isolate
The number is 3
Explanation:
Problems like this are confusing because it's hard to write an algebra expression for concepts like "five less than 6 times a number,"
The trick is to write that amount one step at a time.
1) Let
The number . . . . . .
2) Now find a way to write "six times the number"
In algebra, that is "
So far, you have
The number . . . . . . . . . .
6 times the number . .
3) Now find the way to write "5 less than that"
In algebra, that is "
So now you have
The number . . . . . . . . . .
6 times the number . .
5 less than that . . . . . .
The problem says that
That other amount is "the number plus 10"
So find a way to express the concept "the number plus 10"
Do this one step at a time
The number . . . . .
plus 10 . . . . . . . . .
....................................
Now you can write an equation you can solve because you turned the words of the problem into algebra.
1) "Five less than 6 times a number"
.
2) "is the same as"
3) "the number plus 10"
Putting it all together, you have
..................................................
Solve for
1) Subtract
2) Add 5 to both sides to isolate the
3) Divide both sides by 5 to isolate
Answer:
The number is 3
