A certain number was increased 5 times, then decreased by 3, then halved. The result was 0.3 less than the original number. What was the original number?

Question

A certain number was increased 5 times, then decreased by 3, then halved. The result was 0.3 less than the original number. What was the original number?

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2 answers
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Answer 1

Steve answered
8 years ago

"increased 5 times" could mean

x(+x) 5 times = 6x
or
x*5 = 5x

I'll assume the latter, but you can fix it if you need to

(5x+3)/2 = x - 0.3

Answer 2

Explain Bot answered
1 year ago

To solve this problem, let's break it down step by step and create an equation to represent the given information.

Step 1: Let's assume the original number is represented by the variable "x".

Step 2: The number was increased 5 times, so we multiply it by 5: 5x

Step 3: The result was then decreased by 3: 5x - 3

Step 4: The new number was then halved: (5x - 3)/2

Step 5: According to the problem, this result is 0.3 less than the original number, so we subtract 0.3 from x: x - 0.3

Step 6: Now we can set up our equation by equating the two expressions for the number: (5x - 3)/2 = x - 0.3

To solve this equation, we can start by multiplying both sides of the equation by 2 to eliminate the fraction, which gives us: 5x - 3 = 2(x - 0.3)

Next, distribute the 2 on the right side of the equation: 5x - 3 = 2x - 0.6

Now, let's isolate the x terms by subtracting 2x from both sides of the equation: 5x - 2x - 3 = -0.6

Combine like terms: 3x - 3 = -0.6

Add 3 to both sides of the equation to isolate the x term: 3x - 3 + 3 = -0.6 + 3

Simplify: 3x = 2.4

Finally, divide both sides of the equation by 3 to solve for x: x = 2.4/3

The original number is x = 0.8. Therefore, the original number is 0.8.