Final answer:
The equation representing the problem is 0.60x - 17 = -65. By adding 17 to both sides and then dividing by 0.60, we find that the number in question is -80.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question is a typical algebraic problem where they need to find a number given that 60 percent of it, minus 17, equals -65. To solve for the number, you can set up an equation. Let's denote the number as 'x'. The equation will then be 0.60x - 17 = -65.
Here's how you can solve it step-by-step:
- Add 17 to both sides of the equation to isolate the term with the variable: 0.60x - 17 + 17 = -65 + 17
- Simplify both sides of the equation: 0.60x = -48
- Divide both sides by 0.60 to solve for x: x = -48 / 0.60
- Calculate the value of x: x = -80
This means that the number we were looking for is -80.