Triple a number minus $18$ is equal to twice the sum of its additive inverse plus $6$. Find the number.
I deduced the first part which is:
$$3x-18$$
But the second part has me confused, I don't know how to formulate it
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3$\begingroup$ The additive inverse of $x$ is $-x$. $\endgroup$– user905694Commented May 28, 2022 at 20:29
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1$\begingroup$ twice the sum will be of the form $2(a+b)$. $\endgroup$– CyclotomicFieldCommented May 28, 2022 at 20:31
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$\begingroup$ That additive inverse is -3x+18? $\endgroup$– Ch daveCommented May 28, 2022 at 20:34
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$\begingroup$ Actually I think you have a very good point there -- the question is ambiguous due to the use of the pronoun "it". I'm fairly sure "it" was meant to be "the original number", based on the way questions like this are often set, but if you just follow the grammar it could be "triple a number minus $18$". I would still advise following the more likely interpretation, where "its additive inverse" is just $-x.$ $\endgroup$– David KCommented May 28, 2022 at 20:58
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$\begingroup$ Also, make sure you put commas. "Triple a number, minus 18" means $3x-18$. "Triple a number minus 18" can be interpreted as $3(x-18)$. $\endgroup$– AndreiCommented May 28, 2022 at 21:14
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1 Answer
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The other side of the equality is $2(-x+6)$
