Question

Twice the difference of a number and 3 is at most -19. Use the variable w for the unknown number.

a) 2w - 3=-19
b) 2(w - 3)= -19
c) 2w + 3=-19
d) 2(w + 3) = -19

Answer 1

The equation that represents the given problem is 2(w - 3) = -19. To solve this equation, distribute the 2, isolate the variable w, and solve for w.

Step-by-step explanation:

The equation that represents the given problem is 2(w - 3) = -19.

To solve this equation, we can start by distributing the 2 to the terms inside the parentheses: 2w - 6 = -19.

Next, we can isolate the variable w by adding 6 to both sides: 2w = -19 + 6.

Simplifying, we have 2w = -13.

Finally, we can solve for w by dividing both sides of the equation by 2: w = -13/2, or w = -6.5.