SOLUTION: find a number such that the ratio of 3 times that number and 5 is equal to the difference between that number and 2

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Question 467728: find a number such that the ratio of 3 times that number and 5 is equal
to the difference between that number and 2
Answer by moshiz08(60) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
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,
3x/5 = x-2
Now we can solve a simple algebra problem. Multiply both sides by 5.
3x = 5x - 10
Now it is easy to solve. Add 10 to both sides to get
3x + 10 = 5x
Subtracting 3x from both sides gives
10 = 2x
Finally dividing by 2 gives x = 5.
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!