Answer:
18
Step-by-step explanation:
Let the required number be x.
Step 1
write the expression for the difference of the number and 4.
=> x - 4
Step 2
the question equates 5 times the difference with some other terms, so find the equation for 5 times the difference.
=> 5( x - 4)
Step 3
The equation in Step 2 is said to be equal to "two less than four times the number".
Find the expression for four times the number
=> 4x
Step 4
Find the expression for two less than 4x.
=> 4x - 2
Step 5
Equate the terms that it says are equal:
=> 5(x - 4) = 4x - 2
distributing 5 within the parenthesis:
=> 5x - 20 = 4x - 2
taking like terms on one side:
=> 5x - 4x = 20 - 2
- (the sign carried by the terms get inverted while changing their sides)
=> x = 18
and x was the required number, so the answer Is 18.
