Solving an Equation word problem

[fc1123]

A number, twice that number, and one -third of that number are added. The result is 20. What is the original number?

2x+1/3=20 question is did I set this up right to solve the equation?

 

[tutor_joel]

nope, not quite. "A number" is your unknown. Set that as x. So, if a number (x), twice that number (2x), and one third that number, (1/3)x, are added to equal 20, what is x?

Try to set it up now.

 

[fc1123]

thanks I have the number set up like this
2x+1/3=20 Now how do I solve the problem?

 

[masters]

thanks I have the number set up like this
2x+1/3=20 Now how do I solve the problem?

Hi fc1123,

Tutor_joel just told you that you have the equation wrong.

Let x = the number
Let 2x = twice the number
Let x/3 = 1/3 of the number
Let 20 = the sum

Now add.

\(\displaystyle x+2x+\frac{x}{3}=20\)

Now solve.