Three more than a number is -5. How do you find the number?

Question

21817 views around the world

You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License

Answer 1 · 2016-10-20T20:01:07

$x=-8$

Examples like these are the first steps in learning how to solve problems by making and and solving an algebraic equation.

"Three more than" means 3 added to some number.

In this case, let "the number" be $x$

"Three more than a number" is written as $x +3$

"is -5" tells us the answer. It means something $= -5$

Put all this together ....

$x+3 = -5" "larr$ now solve the equation

Subtract 3 from both sides

$x+3 color(red)(-3) = -5 color(red)(-3)$

$x = -8$