Question

Use an equation to solve the problem.

The difference between a number and 4 times that number is -21. What is the number?

Answer 1

We'll call the number 'x' for now.

So the difference between x and 4 times x (4x) is -21.

x - 4x = -21

-3x = -21

x = -21 / -3

x = 7.

The number is 7.

Answer 2

n being the number, n-4=-21. n=-17