16Hit1600
AlgebraHardUnwinding a chain of operations

Algebra practice question

A number is doubled, 7 is subtracted from the result, and that result is divided by 3 to give 5. What is the number?

Answer: 11

(2n − 7)/3 = 5 gives 2n − 7 = 15, so n = 11.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 4
4 comes from 2n − 7 = 15/3, dividing the wrong side.
If you answered 8
8 comes from 2n = 15 + 7 − 6, an arithmetic slip.
If you answered 22
22 is 2n, the doubled number.

More Algebra questions

Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.