Question

Translate into equation
Twelve less than the one- fifth of a number is -7

Answer 1

1/5x - 12 = -7

Explanation:

The first thing says 12 less THAN. Normally, when you see something in word problems like "less than" it means you need to switch the places.

So rather than 12 - 1/5, it's 1/5 - 12.

1/5 of a number means you are multiplying that number by 1/5. we'll use x (or any letter really, doesn't matter) to represent the unknown number.

Remember that if a variable and number is written together, it means multiplication.

So, 1/5x - 12 = -7.