Question

Seven less than one-third of a number is the same as the product of five-thirds and the sum of that number and -5. What is the number?

Answer 1

`(1)/(3)`x - 7 =
`(5)/(3)`(x - 5)

x - 21 = 5(x - 5) multiplied 3 to both sides to eliminate the denominator

x - 21 = 5x - 25 distributed 5 into (x - 5) on the right side

-21 = 4x - 25 subtracted "x" from both sides

4 = 4x added 25 to both sides

1 = x divided both sides by 4

Answer: 1