Fourteen less than four times a number is six. What is the number?

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Answer 1 · 2017-05-18T01:28:17

See a solution process below:

First, let's call the number we are looking for: #n#

Then, "four times a number" can be written as: #4n#

Next, "Fourteen less than this" can be written as : #4n - 14#

Now, we can add "is six" to the expression to create the equation:

#4n - 14 = 6#

We can now solve for #n# as follows:

#4n - 14 + color(red)(14) = 6 + color(red)(14)#

#4n - 0 = 20#

#4n = 20#

#(4n)/color(red)(4) = 20/color(red)(4)#

#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(4)))n)/cancel(color(red)(4)) = 5#

#n = 5#