Final answer:
To find the number of gym memberships sold last month, we set up an equation based on the given information, 2x + 7 = 43. Solving for x, we find that Dirk sold 18 gym memberships last month.
Step-by-step explanation:
Let's denote the number of gym memberships Dirk sold last month as x. According to the problem statement, Dirk sold '7 more than 2 times as many gym memberships this month than last month.' This can be represented mathematically as 2x + 7. The problem also tells us that the number of gym memberships sold this month is 43. Therefore, we can set up the following equation to solve for x:
2x + 7 = 43
To find the value of x, we need to perform two steps: subtract 7 from both sides of the equation, and then divide by 2. Here's how it works:
- Subtract 7 from both sides: 2x = 43 - 7
- Simplify: 2x = 36
- Divide both sides by 2: x = 18
So, Dirk sold 18 gym memberships last month.