Answers: 2x - 6 = 20 & x = 13
Explanation: The x in this equation is the temperature 5 hours ago. In the word problem, 20 degrees is the x temperature multiplied by 2 (since it says “twice the temperature”) and subtracted by 6 (since it says “6 degrees less). Therefore, the equation would be the x changing (due to the multiplying of 2 and subtraction of 6) that equal 20. When solving, first check to see if there are any like terms (None in this problem). Next, isolate the variable. Here, you add the opposite of 6 to both sides (-6 + 6 and 20 + 20). This makes it 2x = 26. Now divide by the coefficient (2x / 2 and 26 / 2). This will be x = 13. Hope this helped!