SOLUTION: I am in remedial math and a word problem on my math test that I am not sure what the answer was and it was a word problem and I thought I read it right and worked it out but did no

Question 215608: I am in remedial math and a word problem on my math test that I am not sure what the answer was and it was a word problem and I thought I read it right and worked it out but did not make sense. Can you help me. The question was the difference between a number and 9 is the same as 35 less than the number. I could not find the number. Could you help me.
Lynsey
Found 2 solutions by stanbon, RAY100:
Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
the difference between a number and 9 is the same as 35 less than the number
-------------------
Equation:
Let the number be "x":
9-x = x-35
2x = 9+35
2x = 44
x = 22
------------------
Note: You have to use 9-x for the difference.
If you use x-9 as the difference you get
x-9 = x-35 which is a contradiction.
=========================
Comment: That is not really a good problem because
of the ambiguity in sybolizing "the difference
between a number and 9".
================================
Cheers,
Stan H.

Answer by RAY100(1637) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
When we do a word problem,,we are looking for two things
.
(1) the operations required(add, subtract, multiply,,divide,etc...)
.
(2) the number to use,,,,(often we use simpler numbers to define the operation,then substitute the "real" numbers.
.
.
Key words in this problem include,,,"is the same as" or equals (=)
.
"difference" or subtraction(-)
.
" less than" or also subtraction(-)
.
Let x = number
.
Now just write the sentence
.
x-9 = 35 -x,,,,,,,add x,,, add 9,,,to both sides
.
2x = 44,,,,,,divide by 2
.
x=22
.
.
check,,22-9 =35-22 = 13,,,,ok
.
.

RELATED QUESTIONS
i am working on my math homework and i came to this word problem and i tried it but i... (answered by nerdybill)
I have a word problem that I am supposed to turn in to a equation and it says "On a math... (answered by jim_thompson5910)
I am not sure if I am writing this under the right section or not, but I am taking a... (answered by Theo)
I have been working on this math problem and I think I got the answer, but I am not sure. (answered by solver91311)
Hello, my name is Rebecca Ghisoiu. I attend Western Govorners University, an online... (answered by Theo)
I am taking the IL basic skills math test this Sat. morning so I need this answer solved... (answered by solver91311)
hello. this question was on my last math test and I got the answer wrong. I am not sure... (answered by MathLover1)
Here is the word problem I am struggling to solve. You must average at least an 85 in... (answered by scott8148)
This word problem was given on a test. I don't remeber the exact wording of the problem... (answered by checkley77)