Question

Question #8b183

Answer 1

`3n - 6 = - 18`

Explanation:

Questions like these are confusing because it's hard to know how to write the idea as a math expression.

The trick is to work step-by-step.

Let `n` represent "the number."

"The product of the number and 3"
(`n xx 3`)

"six less than that"
(`n xx 3) - 6`

"is - 18"
(`n xx 3) - 6 = -18`

`3n - 6 = - 18`

.........................

`3n`   `color(red)(- 6)   = - 18`
         \ /
`color(red)("six less than")`

`color(blue)(3n) - 6 = - 18`
       \ /
`color(blue) (3  "times a number")`

If you want to solve the equation, you do it like this:
`3n - 6 = - 18`

1) Add `6` to both sides to isolate the `3n` term
`3n = - 12`

2) Divide both sides by `3` to isolate `n`
`n = - 4`