Question

Paul was thinking of a number. Paul divides by 3, then adds 10 to get an answer of 2. What was the original number?

Answer 1

x= -24

Explanation:

let the number be x

x/3 +10=2

Multiply through by 3

3 * x/3 + 3 *10 = 2*3

x + 30 = 6

x= 6 - 30

x= -24

note * = multiplication sign

Answer 2

-24

Explanation:

let 'n' = the number

n/3 + 10 = 2

n/3 +10 - 10 = 2 - 10

n/3 = -8

n = -24