I have a certain number and take away 1 the result is the same as dividing the number by 3 and adding it. what is the number.
x-1 = x/3 + x
so, find x
x - 1 = (x/3) + x ???
3 x - 3 = x + 3 x = 4x
x = -3
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check
-3 - 1 = -3/3 - 3 ????
-4 = -4 yes it checks
To solve this problem, let's start by assigning a variable to the number we're trying to find. Let's call it "x".
According to the problem, if we take away 1 from the number, the result is the same as dividing the number by 3 and adding it. Mathematically, this can be represented as:
x - 1 = (x / 3) + x
Now, let's solve the equation step by step:
First, let's simplify the equation by multiplying both sides by 3 to get rid of the fraction:
3(x - 1) = 3((x / 3) + x)
3x - 3 = x + 3x
Now, let's combine like terms:
3x - 3 = 4x
Next, let's isolate the variable on one side of the equation by subtracting 3x from both sides:
3x - 3 - 3x = 4x - 3x
-3 = x
Thus, the number is -3.