"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
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
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.