The second of three numbers is three times the first. The third is 5 more than the second. if the second is decreased by twice the third number, the result is five?
x
3x
3x-2(3X)=5
x= 3/5 ?
Your setup is sloppy
let the first number be x
then the second number is 3x
and the third is 3x+5
now translate the following:
"if the second is decreased by twice the third number, the result is five"
----> 3x - 2(3x+5) = 5
3x - 6x - 10 = 5
-3x = 15
x = -5
check:
first: -5
2nd: -15
3rd : -10
let's decrease the 2nd by twice the third
--- twice the third = -20
the 2nd decreased by -20
= -15 - (-20)
= -15 + 20
= 5
My answer is correct
Let's break down the information provided and solve the problem step by step.
We are given three numbers: the first number is represented by x, the second number is three times the first (3x), and the third number is five more than the second (3x + 5).
We are also given the equation: if the second number is decreased by twice the third number, the result is five. Mathematically, this can be expressed as:
3x - 2(3x + 5) = 5
Now, let's simplify the equation and solve for x.
3x - 6x - 10 = 5
Combine like terms:
-3x - 10 = 5
Add 10 to both sides of the equation:
-3x = 15
Divide by -3 to isolate x:
x = -15/3
Simplifying this further:
x = -5
Therefore, the first number (x) is -5.