Question

translate following words into an equation andthen solve the equation


"five less than the product of a number and -2 is -13"

Answer 1

Let's break down the phrase step by step to translate it into an equation.

1. **Identify the variable**: Let the unknown number be represented by \( x \).

2. **Translate the phrase**:
- "the product of a number and -2" translates to \( -2x \).
- "five less than the product of a number and -2" translates to \( -2x - 5 \).
- "is -13" translates to \( = -13 \).

Putting it all together, we get the equation:
\[
-2x - 5 = -13
\]

3. **Now, solve the equation**:
- First, add 5 to both sides to isolate the term with \( x \):
\[
-2x - 5 + 5 = -13 + 5
\]
\[
-2x = -8
\]
- Next, divide both sides by -2:
\[
x = \frac{-8}{-2}
\]
\[
x = 4
\]

The solution to the equation is:
\[
x = 4
\]