SOLUTION: A number is decreased by seven. Then, the new number is multiplied by 3 to get an answer of -9. What is the original number?

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Question 808309: A number is decreased by seven. Then, the new number is multiplied by 3 to get an answer of -9. What is the original number?
Answer by Ashley_UConn(8) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You are being asked to find the unknown number, which we're going to call x. Therefore, you can write your equation the following way:
(x-7)*3=-9 or 3(x-7)=-9
Step 1: 3(x-7)=-9
Step 2: 3(x-7)/3=-9/3
Step 3: x-7=-9/3
Step 4: x-7=-3
Step 5: x+(-7+7)=-3+7
Step 6: x=-3+7
Answer: x=4
Hope that helped. :)