document.write( "Question 467728: find a number such that the ratio of 3 times that number and 5 is equal
\n" ); document.write( "to the difference between that number and 2 \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #321341 by moshiz08(60) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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Let's call that number x. We need to convert the word problem to an equation. Recall that ratio means a fraction. 3 times that number is going to be 3x. The ratio of 3x and 5 is the fraction 3x/5. This is equal to the difference between that number x and 2. In other words, \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "3x/5 = x-2 \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Now we can solve a simple algebra problem. Multiply both sides by 5. \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "3x = 5x - 10 \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Now it is easy to solve. Add 10 to both sides to get \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "3x + 10 = 5x \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Subtracting 3x from both sides gives
\n" ); document.write( "10 = 2x \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Finally dividing by 2 gives x = 5. \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Now we can check. The ratio of 3 times that number (which is 15) and 5 is 15/5 = 3. The difference between that number (5) and 2 is also 3, so it works! \n" ); document.write( "

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