Question

I am thinking of a number. When I double my number and then subtract the result from five, I get negative one. What is my number?

Answer 1

`x=3`

Explanation:

`1`. Start by making a let statement.

Let `x` represent a number.

`2`. Create an algebraic expression.

`5-2x=-1`

`3`. To solve for `x`, you must isolate for `x` — that is, make it be the only term on one side of the equation. Start by isolating for `x` by subtracting `5` from both sides of the equation.

`5` `color(red)(-5)-2x=-1` `color(red)(-5)`

`0-2x=-6`

`-2x=-6`

`4`. Divide both sides by `-2`.

`color(red)((color(black)(-2x))/-2)=color(red)(color(black)(-6)/-2)`

`color(green)(|bar(ul(color(white)(a/a)x=3color(white)(a/a)|)))`