Question

If you triple me and then subtract 12 the result is -87. What number am I?

Answer 1

-25

Explanation:

First, write an equation to represent the situation. To get -87, a number (lets say x) is first tripled, and then 12 is subtracted from the result.

So: -87 = 3x - 12

Then, solve for x by first adding 12 to both sides:

-87 = 3x - 12 ----> -75 = 3x

Finally, divide both sides by 3 to get x by itself:

-75 = 3x ----> -25 = x