Question

Translate to an equation.
Thirteen less than six times a number is equal to 11 more than four times the number. What is the number?

Answer 1

any ideas?

Answer 2

no i doint know how to do this problem?

Answer 3

This problem is asking you to translate English into mathematical symbols.

Answer 4

ok but how do you do it?

Answer 5

Do you know what mathematical symbols are?

Answer 6

ok, so if I told you you had 5 dollars more than me, and I have 6 dollars, how many do you have

Answer 7

could you write that out as an equation?

Answer 8

"times" = x, etc...

Answer 9

oh add on to that eq that the total between us is 17 dollars

Answer 10

11

Answer 11

i dont get it at all.

Answer 12

Thirteen less than six times a number is equal to 11 more than four times the number. What is the number?

We have the following mathematical elements in this sentence.

"less than" is a difference, i.e., represented by a "-"
"13" is a constant number. It is represented by itself. "13"
"times" is multiplication, i.e., represented by an "x" or "*"
"more than" is addition, i.e., represented by a "+"
"four" is a number, i.e., represented by a "4"
"a number" is a variable, i.e., represented by a letter, e.g., "a"

Piece the equation together using those symbols.

Answer 13

Typically when dealing with algebraic equations involving variables, we do not use "x" to represent multiplication, as it is the most often used variable in Algebra 1 and 2. Symbolically represent multiplication by using "*" or parenthesis.

Answer 14

Print this out and study it: http://www.austincc.edu/tutor/students/resources/Translating%20English%20Words.pdf

Answer 15

ok so 13-6*a=11+4*a right?

Answer 16

Almost! It is 13 less than 6 times a number. So, 6*a - 13 = 4*a + 11

Answer 17

is that the answer?

Answer 18

If you have 3 apples and I have 13 less than 6 * (the number of your apples), then I have 6 * (3 apples, which are your apples) - 13 apples total.

Answer 19

That is your equation translated from English into mathematical symbols. You now need to solve for "a," which represents "a number."

Answer 20

well can you show me how to do it then?

Answer 21

Hint: get all your "a's" on one side of the equation.

Answer 22

http://cstl.syr.edu/fipse/algebra/unit3/combine.htm

Read up and show your attempt.