Question

Two thirds of a number decreased by eighteen is negative twenty-four.

Answer 1

Explanation:

Let the number be x

Two thirds of the number is expressed as ;

`(2)/(3) * x\\(2x)/(3)`

The number decreased by 18:

`(2x)/(3) - 18`

If the resulting value is equal to 24;

`(2x)/(3) - 18 = 24`

solve the resulting expression for x

`(2x)/(3) - 18 = 24\\(2x)/(3) = 24+18\\(2x)/(3) -= 42\\2x = 3*42\\x = 126/2\\x = 63`

Hence the unknown number is 63