Answer:
Let "a number" = "x"
"Four times" = "4 * "
"the sum of a number and 3" = "x + 3"
"is equal to 7" = "=7"
Combine the equation.
Four times the sum of a number and 3... = "4(x + 3)"
... is equal to 7 = 4(x + 3) = 7
4(x + 3) = 7 is your answer.
To solve for x. Remember to follow PEMDAS. First, distribute 4 to all terms within the parenthesis.
4(x + 3) = 4(x) + 4(3) = 4x + 12
4x + 12 = 7
Isolate the variable x. Note the equal sign, what you do to one side, you do to the other. Do the opposite of PEMDAS. First, subtract 12 from both sides.
4x + 12 (-12) = 7 (-12)
4x = 7 - 12
4x = -5
Divide 4 from both sides.
4x = -5
(4x)/4 = (-5)/4
x = -5/4
x = -1.25
-1.25 is your answer for x.
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