Question

Think of a number, any number

Add 3.
Double that
Subtract 4.
Cut that in half.
Subtract your original number,

Explain why the answer is always 1, regardless of
the number you began with.

Answer 1

Explanation:

think of any number : x

add 3 : x+3

double that : 2(x+3)

subtract 4 : 2(x+3)-4

cut in half (divide by 2) : (2(x+3)-4)/2

subtract original number : (2(x+3)-4)/2-x

if you simplify, you will end up with 1

Step by Step simplification

2(x+3) = 2x+6 double that

2x+6-4=2x+2 subtract 4 : 2(x+3)-4

(2x+2)/2 = x+1 cut in half (divide by 2)

x+1-x = 1 subtract original number