If 5 times a number is decreased by 3, the result is 12. What is the number?

If 5 times a number is decreased by 3, the result is 12. What is the number?

Step 1: Let the unknown number be represented by the letter x.
Step 2: According to the problem, 5 times this number (5x) is decreased by 3. This can be written as the equation: 5x - 3.
Step 3: The problem states that this result equals 12. So we can write the equation: 5x - 3 = 12.
Step 4: To solve for x, we first need to get rid of the -3. We do this by adding 3 to both sides of the equation.
Step 5: After adding 3 to both sides, the equation becomes: 5x = 15.
Step 6: Now, we need to find x. We do this by dividing both sides of the equation by 5.
Step 7: After dividing, we find that x = 3.

Algebraic Equations – The question tests the ability to set up and solve a linear equation based on a verbal statement.
Operations with Equations – It assesses the understanding of basic operations such as addition and division in the context of solving equations.