Question

5 times the difference of a number and 9 is 1 less than three times the same number

Answer 1

5(x-9) = 3x - 1
5x - 45 = 3x - 1
2x = 44
x = 22 <----- I assume you wanted the number

difference between 22 and 9 = 13
5 times that is 65
3 times the number = 66
and sure enough, 65 is 1 less than 66

Answer 2

x = number

5 times the difference of a number and 9 is 1 less than three times the same number means:

5 ∙ ( x - 9 ) = 3 x - 1

5 x - 45 = 3 x - 1

Add 45 to both sides

5 x = 3 x + 44

Subtract 3 x to both sides

2 x = 44

x = 44 / 2

x = 22