Question

Three-fourths was subtracted from a number, and then 5 was added to the result. the sum was -7. what was the original number?

a. 3
b. -3
c. -11
d. 2

Answer 1

To find the original number, subtract three-fourths from it, add 5 to the result, and set the equation equal to -7. Solving for the original number gives us -48. Therefore, the original number is -48.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the original number, we can work backwards from the given information. Let's assume the original number is x.

First, we subtract three-fourths from x: x - (3/4)x = x(1 - 3/4) = x * 1/4 = x/4.

Next, we add 5 to the result: x/4 + 5 = x/4 + 5/1 = (x + 20)/4.

Given that the sum is -7, we can set up the equation: (x + 20)/4 = -7. Solving for x, we multiply both sides of the equation by 4 to get x + 20 = -28. Subtracting 20 from both sides gives us x = -48.

Therefore, the original number is -48, so the correct answer is option c) -11.