If the unknown number is y, then:
18 times y → 18y
18y minus 97 → 18y - 97
9 less than a number → y - 9
So, the given word problem can be written into this equation.
[tex]18y-97=y-9[/tex]
To solve for y, here are our steps:
1. Subtract "y" on both sides.
[tex]\begin{gathered} 18y-y-97=y-y-9 \\ 17y-97=-9 \end{gathered}[/tex]
2. Add 97 on both sides of the equation.
[tex]\begin{gathered} 17y-97+97=-9+97 \\ 17y=88 \end{gathered}[/tex]
3. Divide both sides of the equation by 17.
[tex]\begin{gathered} \frac{17y}{17}=\frac{88}{17} \\ y=\frac{88}{17}\approx5.18 \end{gathered}[/tex]
Hence, the value of y is 88/17 or approximately 5.18.
