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AlgebraHardNumber from a sum and three times a difference

Algebra practice question

The sum of a number and 12 is equal to three times the difference between the number and 4. What is the number?

Answer: 12

x + 12 = 3(x − 4) gives x + 12 = 3x − 12, so 2x = 24 and x = 12.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 0
0 uses 3(x − 4) as 3x − 4.
If you answered 8
8 uses x + 12 = 3x − 4 with a slip.
If you answered 24
24 stops at 2x = 24.

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