Question

Nine less than four times a number is the same as nineteen

Answer 1

4x - 9 = 19

Explanation:

We can represent 4 times any numbers as 4x.

Then they want 9 less than 4x. This means that they want 4x but 9 units shorter. So to make 4x 9 units shorter, you would take away 9 from 4x which is represented as 4x - 9. A common mistake is writing this as 9 - 4x.

They also want 4x - 9 to be the same, or equal to, 19. So to equate both expression, you would add the equals sign between both expressions.

Answer 2

x= 7, the number is 7

Explanation:

4x-9= 19

• Add 9 to both sides

4x=28

• Divide each side by 4

x=7