Question

Write an equation and solve each problem.

Seventeen is thirteen subtracted from six times a number. What is the number?

Short answer

The required number is 5.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. List the given data.

Seventeen is thirteen subtracted from six times a number.

Step 2. Write the equation for the given problem.

Let $x$be the required number.

Translating the given problem into equation form,

$17=6x-13$

This is the required equation for the given problem.

Step 3. Solve the equation.

Solving,

$17=6x-13$ (Obtained equation)

$17+13=6x-13+13$ (Add 13 to both sides)

$30=6x$ (Simplify)

$\frac{30}{6}=\frac{6x}{6}$ (Divide both sides by 6)

$5=x$ (Simplify)

$x=5$ (Write the variable on the left-hand side)

So, $x=5$is the solution of the obtained equation.

Step 4. Interpret the obtained solution.

According to the assumption, $x$is the required number which satisfies the given problem.

Thus, the required number is 5.