Question

If you start with a number, add 5, then multiply by 7, the result is 133. what was the original number

Answer 1

The original number was: " 14 " .

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a + 5 = b ;

b * 7 = 133 .
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What is: "a" ?
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133 / 7 = 19 = b ;

a + 5 = b = 19 ;

a + 5 = 19 ;

Subtract "5" from each side of the equation;
to isolate "a" on one side of the equation; and to solve for "a" ;
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a + 5 − 5 = 19 − 5 ;

to get:
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a = 14 .
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Let us check our answer:

Start with "14" ;

Add "5" : "14 + 5 = 19 " .
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then multiply by "7" : "19 * 7"
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and the result is: 133 ?
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19 * 7 = ? 133 ? Yes!
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