Question

Five more than a number tripled is half the number. What is the number?
A.6
B.–2
C.–1
D.1

Answer 1

let's use a number "n"
5 more than n
n + 5
the number is tripled
3n + 5

all that is equal to half the number
3n+5 = 1/2n

solve for "n"

Answer 2

Would you do the reciprocal?

Answer 3

you could multiply by the reciprocal of 1/2, sure

Answer 4

It would all cancel out. It would be one, right?

Answer 5

it'd cancel out the denominator on the right-hand side

Answer 6

So you'd be left with 3n+5=n?

Answer 7

\(\bf 3n+5 = \frac{1}{2}n \implies 3n+5 = \frac{n}{2}\\
2 \times (3n+5) = 2 \times \left(\frac{n}{2}\right)\)