How do you translate the following statement "The difference between a number and four is twenty " into an algebraic expression and then find the number?

1 Answer
Mar 5, 2016

#n-4=20, n=24#

Explanation:

Difference means subtraction.
'A number' can be represented by a variable. In this case, we'll use #n# as our variable.

So, our algebraic expression will be: #n-4=20#

To solve this we must use algebra.

#n-4=20#

We must first move the #-4# over to the right-hand side to get #n#, our variable, by itself. When we do this, we must also change its operation/sign from negative to positive.

#n=20+4#

Lastly, we just have to solve the right-hand side of our equation and we'll have our final answer.

#n=24#