<PRE><B>Question 86522</B>
Probably the hardest part of doing this kind of problem is translating from the English statement into algebra.
One third of a number (n/3) is (=) five less than half the number ((n/2)-5). So you can write:
n/3 = (n/2)-5 Multiply through by 6 (the LCD) to clear the fractions.
6(n/3 = (n/2)-5)
2n = 3n-30 Add 30 to both sides.
2n+30 = 3n Finally, subtract 2n from both sides.
30 = n or n = 30
The number is 30.

To check the answer. substitute 30 for n in the initial equation.
30/3 = (30/2)-5 Evaluate this.
10 = 15-5
10 = 10</PRE>