Question

Twice a number decreased by 8 is 2 less than half the number. What is the number?

Answer 1

4

Explanation:

with th information given we can express the equation:

`2x-8=(x)/(2) -2`

where
`x` is the unknown number.

to clear for
`x` first we multiply the equation by 2, to eliminate the fraction:

`2(2x-8=(x)/(2)-2 )\\4x-16=x-4`

moving all terms with
`x` to the left:

`4x-x-16=-4\\3x-16=-4`

and adding +16 to each side:

`3x-16+16=-4+16\\3x=12`

and finally, dividing by 3

`x=(12)/(4) =4`

the number is 4.