<PRE><B>Question 147573</B>
Let x=the number
(2/3)x= two thirds of the number
(2/3)x-5= two thirds of the number decreased by 5 and we are told that this equals 9, so our equation to solve is:

(2/3)x-5=9  multiply each term by 3
2x-15=27  add 15 to each side
2x-15+15=27+15  collect like terms

2x=42  divide each side by 2
x=21----------------------------------------the number

CK
(2/3)*21-5=9
14-5=9
9=9


Hope this helps---ptaylor</PRE>