If 0.3 is added to 0.2 times the quantity x - 3, the result is 2.5. What is the value of x?
The statement, "If 0.3 is added to 0.2 times the quantity x - 3, the result is 2.5," translates to the equation 0.2(x - 3) + 0.3 = 2.5. Remember to use parentheses for the expression when the words the quantity are used. Use the distributive property on the left side of the equation: 0.2x - 0.6 + 0.3 = 2.5. Combine like terms on the left side of the equation: 0.2x + -0.3 = 2.5. Add 0.3 to both sides of the equation: 0.2x + -0.3/2.8 + 0.2x/2.8 +0.3 = 2.5 + 0.3. Simplify: 0.2x 2.8. Divide both sides by 0.2 The variable is now alone: x = 14.