SOLUTION: Please help!! I can't figure out the following problem: Twice the sum of a number and three is the same as 1 subtracted from the number. Find the number. I know its a simpl

Question 24041: Please help!! I can't figure out the following problem:
Twice the sum of a number and three is the same as 1 subtracted from the number. Find the number.
I know its a simple problem but the more I look at it, the more confused I get!!
Thanks very much.
Found 2 solutions by rapaljer, PeterC:
Answer by rapaljer(4551) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x = the number
Try this for an equation, just translate the sentence:

Twice (the sum of a number and 3) is the number with 1 subtracted from it.
2(x+3) = x-1

How are you at solving equations, now that you have one to solve? Can you do it?

Solve for x
2x + 6 = x -1
x = -7

Check: Take twice the sum of -7+3. That would be 2*(-4), which is -8.
Then, 1 less than -7 is -8, which checks!

R^2 at SCC

Answer by PeterC(8) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The hardest part about solving a word problem is translating it into equations, but if you practice, it will come easier. This problem is telling us that:

where x is the number we are to find.
We solve by dividing, adding, or subtracting the same things from both sides of the equation:

Unless a problem deals with something like people's ages, you should not assume that the answer is non-negative.