Question

Twenty more than four times a number is equal to the difference between −71 and three times the number. Find the number.

Answer 1

4x + 20 = - 71 - ( 3x )

4x + 20 = - 3x - 71

Subtract sides minus 20

4x + 20 - 20 = - 3x - 71 - 20

4x = - 3x - 91

Add sides 3x

4x + 3x = - 3x + 3x - 91

7x = - 91

Divide sides by 7

7x / 7 = - 91 / 7

Simplification

x = - 13

Thus the number is ( - 13 ) .