Word problems

12 is 6 times the difference between a number and 3. Find the number.

Comments for Word problems

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Oct 18, 2010
Rating

Word Problems
by: Karin

There are actually two ways to write the problem, thus giving us two different answers.

12 is 6 times the difference of a number and 3.

12 = 6(x - 3) let x represent the number

12 = 6x - 18

12 + 18 = 6x - 18 + 18

30 = 6x

30/6 = 6x/6

5 = x

5 is one answer.

The problem could also be written as:

12 = 6(3-x)
12 = 18 - 6x

12 - 18 = 18-18 - 6x

-6 = -6x

-6/-6 = -6x/-6

1 = x

Another answer is 1.

Since the difference between a number and 3 can be written as: x - 3 and 3-x, there are two answers.

Hope this helps,
Karin

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Students.