Question

Half of a number has 4 subtracted from it. This is equal to 8 added to the number. Determine the number.

Answer 1

To find the number, we can set up the equation 0.5x - 4 = x + 8 and solve for 'x'. The solution is x = -24.

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve this problem, let's represent the number as 'x'. According to the given information, half of the number (0.5x) has 4 subtracted from it. This can be written as 0.5x - 4. Now we are told this is equal to 8 added to the number (x + 8). To find the value of 'x', we can set up the equation: 0.5x - 4 = x + 8.

Let's solve for 'x' step-by-step:

1. Add 4 to both sides of the equation: 0.5x - 4 + 4 = x + 8 + 4.
2. Simplify: 0.5x = x + 12.
3. Subtract 'x' from both sides of the equation: 0.5x - x = x + 12 - x.
4. Simplify: -0.5x = 12.
5. Divide both sides by -0.5 to isolate 'x': -0.5x / -0.5 = 12 / -0.5.
6. Simplify: x = -24.

Therefore, the number is -24.