Question

Three times the sum of a number and 4 is 8 less than one-half the number. Write and solve an equation to find the number

Answer 1

3(n+4) + 8 = n/2
3n + 12 + 8 = n/2
3n + 20 = n/2
6n + 40 = n  [Multiply both sides by 2]
5n + 40 = 0  [Subtract n from each side]
5n = -40  [Subtract 40 from each side]
n = -8  [Divide both sides by 5]

3(-8 + 4) + 8 = (-8/2)
3(-4) + 8 = -4
-12 + 8 = -4

Checks out.