four times the sum of 26 andp is equal to
Answers
1) The sum of 3 times a number ( 3 x X) <-- we are substituting "a number" with the letter "X". 3 times "X" = 3X
2) The sum of "3X" (3 times a number) and 8 <-- Since it says "sum" we know we want to add numbers together, in this case "3X" + "8"
3) The sum of "3X" (3 times a number) and 8 is 26. <- we got our math problem from step 2 above (3X + 8).
The last part of the equation lets me know that everything equals "26".
4) Now we will rewrite the equation that we got and solve for X.
3X + 8 = 26
5) 3X + 8 = 26 <-- we always want to get "X" alone, but to do that we have to get rid of any other numbers
on the same side of the equation. In other words, think of the equation of having two sides
each divided by the "=". Since "3X" appears on one side with "8", we want to get rid of the
"8". To do that we have to do the opposite math. Since it says "3X PLUS 8" we want to
SUBTRACT the 8 to get rid of it.
3X +8 = 26
- 8 - 8 <----- here you notice that we SUBTRACTED the 8 from the left side to try to get "X" alone
so that we can solve the equation. BUT...if we do any kind of math to one side of the
equation, we need to do it to the other side as well...so we have to SUBTRACT "8" from the
right side too.
3X = 18 <---- This is what we get when we subtract "8" from both sides.
6) 3X = 18 <--- we still want to get "X" by itself. You will notice that the "X" is attached to the "3". Think
back to the original problem (remember how they said "3 TIMES a number..."?) . Since we
ended up with "3X" by mutiplying, we need to do the opposite to get rid of the "3". The
opposite of MULTIPLYING is DIVIDING.
3X = 18 <--- we want to divide both sides (on either side of the "=" sign) by "3" to get the "X" alone.
3X/3 = 18/3
X = 6 <--- after we divide the left side by "3" we are just left with the "X". When we divide the right hand
side we get "6". The mystery "number" from the word problem is the number "6".
Answer:
Step-by-step explanation: