Question

There are nine saxophone players in the band. The number of saxophone players is one less than twice the number of tuba players. Find the number of tuba players.

Short answer

If the number of saxophone players is one less than twice the number of tuba players and the number of saxophone players is $9$then the number of tuba players will be$5.$

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Given information 

The number of saxophone players in the band is $9$

The number of saxophone players is one less than twice the number of tuba players

Step 2. Solution 

Consider the number of tuba players is t

$9$is one less than twice the number of tuba players

$$\begin{gathered} 9=2t-1 \\ 9+1=2t \\ 10=2t \\ \frac{10}{2}=t \\ 5=t \end{gathered}$$

So the number of tuba players in the band is$5$

Step 3. Verification 

$9$is one less than twice of $5$

$$\begin{gathered} 9\stackrel{?}{=}2\left(5\right)-1 \\ 9\stackrel{?}{=}10-1 \\ 9=9 \end{gathered}$$

The left-hand side is equal to the right-hand side

so our answer is correct

The number of tuba players is$5$