# Math Word Problems: Solving Number Problems Part 3

This is the third part of the Solving Number Problems Series. The first part can be read here and the second part can be read here.  In this post I will continue worked examples using problems which are slightly more complicated than the problems in the previous two parts. Without further ado, lets start with the seventh problem in the series.

PROBLEM 7

Twice a number added to $18$ is $5$ times that number. What is the number?

Solution

In the two previous posts, we have learned that if $n$ is a number, then twice that number is $2n$. So, twice a number added to $5$ is represented by $2n + 5$. Now, that number, the $2n + 5$ is five times that number of $5n$. So, we can now set up the equation

$2n + 18 = 5n$.

If we solve for $n$, we have $n = 6$

Twice $6$ added to $18$ is $30$. Five times $6$ is $30$. So, we are correct.

PROBLEM 8

Four times the sum of a number and $3$ is $96$. What is the number?

Solution

This one is quite tricky. Some interpret this as $4n + 3 = 96$. But that is not correct. If you read it carefully, the equation $4n + 3 = 96$ is “four times a number added to three.” However, what we want is four times the sum of a number and 3. So, if we let $n$ be the number, then the sum of a number and 3 is $n + 3$. Four times the sum of a number and 3 is there $4(n+3)$. Now, we set up the equation

$4(n + 3) = 96$.

Solving, we have

$4(n + 3) = 4n + 12 = 96$.

This gives us $4n = 84$ and $n = 21$.

Four times the sum of $21$ and $3$ is four times $24$ which is equal to $96$. So, we are correct.

PROBLEM 9

The sum of three numbers is $105$. The first number is $3$ less than the second number. The third number is four times the second number.

Solution

As you can observe, the second number has no description, so we let it be $n$. The first number is less than the second number by $3$, so the first number is $n - 3$. The third number is four times the second number or $4n$.

Their sum $(n - 3) + n + 4n$ is $105$, so

$(n-3) + n + 4n = 105$.

Simplifying, we have

$6n - 3= 105$

$6n = 108$

So $n = 18$ and the first number is $15$. The third number is $72$.

Checking the Ansewer

Left as an excersise.

***

You have probably noticed that in solving word problems, it is important to accurately convert phrases into algebraic expressions/equations and vice versa.  The word “is” for instance is the same as “equal.” Of course, these keywords are help us in understanding the problem, but we should remember to understand the problem as a whole. In the fourth part (last part) of this series, we will discuss more complicated problems.

## 5 thoughts on “Math Word Problems: Solving Number Problems Part 3”

1. In problem 8, how do you go from “is 7x” to “= 96”?

• Hi Billy. I’m a bit confused where did 7x come from. Could you please explain where did you get 7x?

2. For question #9. It says that the first number is three less than the second number, and that the third number is four times the second number. So, aren’t the numbers then, in order from first to third (n-3, n, 4n). As such, (n-3) + (n) + (4n) = 105. Then, 6n – 3 = 105, so n=18, and the three numbers are 15, 18, and 72.

• Hi Tom. You are correct. I have made a mistake. Thank you. I have already corrected the solution.