1. Four less than half a number is equal to 37 less than twice the number. How to translate the sentence into an equation and solve the equation?

1 Answer
Apr 1, 2018

22

Explanation:

I'm going to abbreviate "number" to n.

Let's turn the sentence into a equation in chunks.

stackrel(1/2n - 4)overbrace"4 less than half a number" " " stackrel(=)overbrace"is equal to" " "stackrel(2n -37)overbrace" 37 less than twice the number"

1/2n - 4 = 2n - 37

I'm going to change 1/2 rarr 0.5 to solve the question easier:

0.5n - 4 = 2n - 37

0.5n + 33 = 2n

33 = 1.5n

22 = n

So the solution is 22.