Question

37 less than the product of 15 and a number is 38.

Answer 1

"Product" signifies multiplication, so 15n. Less means subtract, so 37 less than 15n is 15n - 37. It "is" 38, meaning the expression equals 38. The final expression is 15n - 37 = 38

Answer 2

37 less than the product of 15 and a number is 38.

We can write the product of 15 and the unknown number as 15x where x signifies the unknown number.

We get "37 less than 15x would be 15x - 37."
The statement basically says that 15x minus 37 is 38.

15x - 37 = 38

Add 37 on both sides.
15x = 75

Divide by 15 on both sides.
x=5

Answer: 5