Expert: Bobby Soltani - 7/10/2005

Question
If 2 is subtracted from a number and this difference is tripled, the result is 6 more than the number. Find the number

Answer
Hi Donna,

Let the "number" be x.

if 2 is subtracted from x and the difference (answer) is tripled (multiplied by 3), the result is 6 more than the number (6 + x)

(x-2)*3 = 6 + x
multiply through the parentheses
3x - 6 = 6 + x
subtract x from both sides
2x - 6 = 6
add 6 to both sides
2x = 12
divide both sides by 2
x = 6

We can check our answer.
If 2 is subtracted from 6 ( which equals 4) and this difference is tripled (4*3 = 12), then the result (12) is 6 more than 6, which it is.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Bobby