SOLUTION: 18 less than twice a number is -54. What is the number?

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Numbers -> SOLUTION: 18 less than twice a number is -54. What is the number?      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 803072: 18 less than twice a number is -54. What is the number?
Answer by homeworkhedgehog(9) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Translated, this is
2x-18=-54
The only tricky part about this is wanting to start it out with 18 - 2x, but that is not correct.
When we say something is a certain number "less than" something else, that means you subtract it FROM the something else and not the other way around.
Anyway, from here, you just solve for x:
2x=-36; Add 18 to both sides
x=-18; Divide both sides by 2
If you want to check your answer, just plug it back in:
2%28-18%29-18
=-36-18
=-54
And it checks out.