Question

Sarah was thinking of a number. Sarah divides by 7, then adds 9 to get an answer of 3. What was the original number?

Answer 1

-42

Explanation:

Do it backwards

Start with 3

SUBTRACT 9 to get -6

MULTIPLY by 7 to get -42.

Check:

Start: -42

Divide by 7: -6

Add 9: 3

Ding Ding!

Answer 2

-42

Explanation:

x/7 = y

y + 9 = 3

3 - 9 = y

y = -6

-6 * 7 = x

x = -42