Answer:
If you let 'n' to represent a number then '-9 times a number' can be written as -9n
'less then' means subtraction: 12 less then -9 times a number becomes -9n - 12 (the subtraction in the equation is written in the opposite way as written in words)
'8 minus 4 times the number ' becomes 8 - 4n
So, the equation is: -9n - 12 = 8 - 4n
Get all the variables to one side. If you add 9n to both sides:
-9n + 9n - 12 = 8 - 4n + 9n
-12 = 8 + 5n
Subtract 8 from both sides:
-12 - 8 = 8 - 8 + 5n
-20 = 5n
Divide both sides by 5:
-20 ÷ 5 = 5n ÷ 5
-4 = n
Now, check the answer: -9n - 12 = 8 - 4n
-9(-4) - 12 = 36 - 12 = 24 8 - 4(-4) = 8 + 16 = 24 They check!
Explanation:
Hope this helps! :)