"The sum of a number and three less than the number is sixteen" <<< how do u write this as an equation?
LoL thank you
2007-02-23 13:59:18 · 3 answers · asked by x_deep_dish_x 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
I'm going to avoid just "giving" you the answer. But I'll gladly walk you through the process that I've used.
Think of it this way...
Your "number" is an unknown. It can take on ANY value. Hence, give it a variable (i.e. any letter).
Make sure that you're consistent throughout this entire problem, as far as what you call this unknown variable. That is, if you refer to it more than once, it needs to have the same name (letter) in each instance.
Now, using this variable name, just piece together what the problem is asking you for, so that it forms a mathematical sentence (i.e. an equation, where the "left-hand side" is equal to the "right-had side".)
You know what a "sum" is, I hope. Your problem states that the sum of two terms is equal to a third term (which just happens to be a constant).
One more word of caution (although it turns out not to be critical to this particular problem): Be sure to make proper use of parenthesis. Just think of them as being used to separate the individual terms of a mathematical expression.
Hope this explanation helps. Good luck!
2007-02-23 14:12:57 · answer #1 · answered by sbutk 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
asume the number = x
x + (x-3) = 16
x + x - 3 = 16
2x = 19
x = 19/2
2007-02-23 22:39:05 · answer #2 · answered by M. Abuhelwa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
n + (n-3) = 16. Go for it.
2007-02-23 22:02:57 · answer #3 · answered by amy02 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋