Question

Seven times a number is 12 less than thirteen times the same number. Find the number.

Answer 1

The answer is:

the number is 2

Work/explanation:

I am going to start by letting b be the number.

Seven times b is 7b.

13 times the same number means 13 times b: 13b

12 less than 13b: 13b - 12

Thus, the equation is 7b = 13b - 12

Now to solve!

Add 12 on each side

7b + 12 = 13b

Subtract 7b on each side

12 = 13b - 7b

12 = 6b

Divide each side by 12

2 = b

Hence, 2 is the number.

Answer 2

number is 2

Explanation:

let the number be n then 7 times the number is 7n and 12 less than 13 times the number is 13n - 12

equating the 2 expressions

7n = 13n - 12 ( subtract 13n from both sides )

- 6n = - 12 ( divide both sides by - 6 )

n = 2

that is the number n is 2