Answer: The number is 5
Creating an Equation:
First, we will need to write a mathematical equation that represents the problem.
-> If <em>n</em> is our number, then the opposite of <em>n</em> is -<em>n</em> because -1 times -n is n and -1 times n is -n
-> The underlined portion becomes a part of our equation in the next line.
<u>Seven times the opposite of a number</u> is 50 less than <u>3 times the number</u>
7 * -<em>n</em> is <u>50 less than 3</u><u><em>n</em></u><u> </u>
7 * -<em>n</em> <u>is</u> 3<em>n</em> - 50
7(-<em>n) </em>= 3<em>n</em> - 50
Solving for the Number:
7(-<em>n) </em>= 3<em>n</em> - 50 =|= Our equation
-7<em>n</em> = 3<em>n</em> - 50 =|= Distribute the 7 into -<em>n</em>
-10<em>n</em> = -50 =|= Subtract 3<em>n</em> from both sides of the equation
n = 5 =|= Divide both sides of the equation by -10
Our number is <u>5</u>