Answer:
the number is -7.6
Explanation:
Important terms
- sum = addition (+)
- times = multiplication (*)
Applying this vocabulary to the phrase "five times a the sum of a number and 15 is 37" , we can convert it into a mathematical expression
We have 5 times the sum of a number and 15 is 37 ( it's important to know that 5 is being multiplied by (unknown number + 15) rather than it being multiplied just by the unknown number)
Let unknown number = x
We get 5(x + 15) = 37
We now want to solve for x algebraically
5(x + 15) = 37
==> divide both sides by 5
x + 15 = 7.4
==> subtract 15 from both sides
x = -7.6
The unknown number is -7.6