Answer: 4.5 or [tex]4\frac{1}{2}[/tex]
1. 20 subtracted from 3 times a number (let’s call it x) is 2 more than x. It means that 20 minus 3x is equal to x plus 2.
[tex]
20 - 3x = x + 2
[/tex]
2. We have to sort both sides, without forgetting to change the sign. X’ses on left, and numbers right:
[tex]
-3x - x = 2 - 20
\\ \\ \\
-4x = -18 |:(-4)
\\ \\ \\
x = \frac{18}{4} = 4\frac{2}{4} = 4\frac{1}{2} = 4.5
[/tex]
So the number we’re looking is 4.5. Proof:
[tex]
20 - 3 \cdot 4.5 = 2 + 4.5
20 - 13.5 = 6.5
6.5 = 6.5
[/tex]
And if both sides are equal, equation is correct. Hope it helps!
