Question

If you take a number multiply by 7 then takeaway 1. You get the same as if you took the number multiply by 5 then takeaway 8. What is the number?

Answer 1

7x - 1 = 5x - 8
Minus 5x on each side
2x -1 = -8
Plus 1 on each side
2x = -7
Divide by 2 on each side
x = -7/2

The number is most likely -7/2

Answer 2

x = -3.5

Explanation:

First we create the equation.

Let x = the unknown number

7x-1 = 5x - 8

Add 8 to both sides

7x + 7 = 5x

Subtract 7x

7 = -2x

Divide by 2

-7/2 = x

-3.5 = x