88 times the difference between a number and 12 is equal to the number plus -89. What is the number?

1 Answer
May 8, 2018

The number is #11.11# (rounded to 2 dp)

As a fraction: # 11 10/87#

Explanation:

Break the given sentence into phrases, using #x# as the number,

"the difference between a number and #12#" is written as #x-12#

"#88# times the difference" is written as #" "88(x-12)#

The answer will be the same as the "number plus #-89#"

#= x+(-89)#

Put the whole equation together:

#88(x-12) = x+(-89)#

#88x -1056 = x-89#

#88x-x = -89+1056#

#87x = 967#

#x= 11.11#