6 times the sum of a number and 5 is 16 A number represents an arbitrary variable, let's call it x x The sum of x and 5 x + 5 6 times the sum of x and 5 6(x + 5) Is means equal to, so set 6(x + 5) equal to 16 6(x + 5) = 16 <-- This is our algebraic expression Solve for x Multiply through: 6x + 30 = 16 Subtract 30 from each side: 6x - 30 + 30 = 16 - 30 6x = -14 Divide each side by 6 6x/6 = -14/6 Simplify this fraction by dividing top and bottom by 2: x = -7/3
