Eight less than the product of 9 and a number is 7. What is the number?

1 Answer
Nov 13, 2016

x=15/9 or 5/3 or 1 2/3

Explanation:

8 less than => Subtract 8 from something: ... -8.

  • "Less than" indicates subtraction

Product of 9 and a number => 9x

  • "Product" is multiplication, but what 9 is being multiplied by is unknown, so let x represent the unknown number

Is 7=> = 7

  • The whole thing equals 7

9x-8=7

Now, to find the unknown number, begin to isolate x by adding 8 on both sides of the equation

9x=15

Isolate x by dividing both sides of the equation by 9

x=5/3 or 1 2/3