If three is subtracted from five times a number, the difference is four times the number. What is the number?

1 answer

x = number

If three is subtracted from five times a number, the difference is four times the number means:

5 x - 3 = 4 x

Subtract 4x to both sides

x - 3 = 0

Add 3 to both sides.

x = 3

Check result.

5 x - 3 = 4 x

5 ∙ 3 - 3 = 4 ∙ 3

15 - 3 = 12

12 = 12