Question

if you subtract 17 from my number and multiply the difference by -6 the results is -138 what is Sarah's number

Answer 1

40

Explanation:

let the unknown be y (x is used as times(multiplication) )

(y-17)x-6=-138

add /-6 to both sides

y-17x-6/-6=-138/-6

y-17=23

make y independent/add 17 to both sides

y-17+17=23+17

y=40

or in an easier way

-138/-6 =23

23+17=40

simply reversing the question to get the answer