Question

need to figure out to set up this problem?
2 less than 8 times an unknown # is -74, what is the unknown #

Answer 1

I think you set it up like this but cant remember
2-8x=-74
2+2-8x=-74+2

Answer 2

If it is 2 less than 8 times an unknown, then it would be 8x - 2 = -74.
2 - 8x would be 8x less than 2.
Do you understand what I am saying?

Answer 3

yes I understand now

Answer 4

ok how about the quotient of two integers is 5 one of the integers is -2 find the other integer?

Answer 5

normally I don't have issues with these but cant get it straight to save my life

Answer 6

okay. So we know that \[\frac{ a }{ b} = 5\] and that either 'a' or 'b' is equal to -2.
Now since we know that we are dealing strictly with integers, we can rule out all decimals. This means that -2 must be the denominator, because if you take the absolute value of an integer and divide it by any number you cannot have an answer that is greater than the integer on top. Following so far?

Answer 7

yea

Answer 8

so you set it up like this (x/2)*(2)=5*2

Answer 9

-2

Answer 10

yes. Close. remember that we are plugging in -2 though and not 2.

Answer 11

yea forgot to type -2

Answer 12

so the answer I got was x=10

Answer 13

5*-2=10

Answer 14

close. a positive times a negative yields a negative answer remember (darn those pesky negative signs lol) so the correct answer would be -10 not 10

Answer 15

k

Answer 16

so pretty much when it says for instance 6 less than 3times a unknown number
you would put 3x-6 right?

Answer 17

yep.

Answer 18

k I think I have it now thank you

Answer 19

I add 6 to the answer like this 3x-6=21+6
cause you do the opposite on the other side of the equation

Answer 20

I think you understand it. But be careful how you phrase it, if you simply say you "do the opposite on the other side of the equation" it sounds like you are saying that 3x-6 =21 AND 3x-6 =21 +6. The more accurate statement would be "whatever you do to one side, you have to do to the other side too."

Answer 21

yea that's what I was trying to say

Answer 22

Okay, thought so, but wanted to be sure. I find that when I start phrasing how I work out a math problem in an ambiguous way, I tend to start making silly mistakes because even though I knew what I should be doing, I inadvertently did something else.

Answer 23

I have one more 4 more then 9 times an unknown #is 85 in the book its set up like this
4+9x=85

Answer 24

Correct so far.

Answer 25

so it would be 4-4+9x=85-4

Answer 26

Yep

Answer 27

good cause that's how I had it on my paper at first I thought it was wrong the way I was writing it

Answer 28

thank you for the help
gotta eat dinner