Question

Peter says, “if you subtract 18 from my number and multiply the difference by -5, the result is -65.” What is Peter’s number?

Answer 1

Peter's number is 31.

Explanation:

Let's call Peter's number "x."

Peter's statement can be translated into an equation as follows:

-5(x - 18) = -65

Now, let's solve for x:

First, distribute -5 on the left side of the equation:

-5x + 90 = -65

Next, subtract 90 from both sides of the equation to isolate -5x on the left side:

-5x = -65 - 90

-5x = -155

Finally, divide both sides by -5 to solve for x:

`\sf x = (-155 )/(-5)`

x = 31

So, Peter's number is 31.