translate the verbal phrase “ 3 less than the product of 4 and a number is 17” into an equation, then solve
4x - 3 = 17
4x = 20
x = 5
To translate the verbal phrase "3 less than the product of 4 and a number is 17" into an equation, we can break it down into three parts:
1. "The product of 4 and a number": Let's assume the unknown number is represented by the variable "x". The product of 4 and this number would be 4x.
2. "3 less than the product of 4 and a number": This phrase indicates that we need to subtract 3 from the product of 4 and the unknown number. So, we have 4x - 3.
3. "Is 17": This phrase tells us that the result of the previous calculation must equal 17.
Putting it all together, we end up with the equation:
4x - 3 = 17
To solve this equation:
Step 1: Add 3 to both sides of the equation to isolate the term with 4x:
4x - 3 + 3 = 17 + 3
Simplifying the equation, we have:
4x = 20
Step 2: Divide both sides of the equation by 4 to solve for x:
(4x) / 4 = 20 / 4
Simplifying further, we get:
x = 5
Therefore, the solution to the equation is x = 5.