Finding X: Subtracting Sum From A Number Problem

Hey guys! Let's dive into this math problem where we need to figure out the value of 'x'. It sounds a bit like a puzzle, right? We're given some clues, and we need to put them together to find our missing number. The problem basically says: if we take a number 'x' and subtract the sum of 23,437 and 6,547 from it, we end up with 98,347. Our mission is to uncover what 'x' actually is. So, let's break it down step by step and make it super easy to understand. We'll use some simple math operations and a bit of logical thinking. Stick with me, and we'll crack this code together!

Understanding the Problem

Okay, let's really dig into what this problem is asking. In math, word problems can sometimes seem a bit like a secret code, but don't worry, we're going to decipher it together. The key is to break the problem down into smaller, more manageable parts. Our main keyword here is finding the unknown number, and that unknown number is represented by the letter 'x'. The problem tells us that we're starting with this number 'x', and then we're doing some subtraction. Specifically, we're subtracting the sum of two other numbers: 23,437 and 6,547. Now, "sum" is a math term that means we need to add these two numbers together first. Once we have that sum, we're subtracting it from 'x'. And the final piece of the puzzle? The problem tells us that after we do all this subtracting, we end up with 98,347. So, essentially, we have a mathematical equation hidden in these words, and our goal is to reveal that equation and use it to solve for 'x'. This involves understanding the order of operations and how subtraction works in relation to addition. We're not just plugging in numbers; we're understanding the relationship between them. By carefully analyzing each part of the problem, we can translate it into a clear mathematical statement and get closer to finding our solution.

Step 1: Calculate the Sum

The first thing we need to tackle, as the problem states, is to calculate the sum of 23,437 and 6,547. Remember, when we talk about the "sum," we're talking about adding numbers together. So, in this step, we're going to add these two numbers to find out what their combined value is. This is a crucial step because we need this sum to perform the next operation, which is subtracting it from our unknown number, 'x'. Let's get our addition hats on and carefully add these numbers. We'll make sure to line up the digits correctly – ones with ones, tens with tens, and so on – to avoid any errors. This might seem like a simple step, but accuracy is key in math! A small mistake here can throw off the whole solution. So, we'll take our time, double-check our work, and make sure we have the correct sum. Once we have this sum, we'll be one step closer to unraveling the mystery of 'x'. It’s like collecting the right ingredients before you start baking a cake; you need to have everything in place before you can move on to the next step.

Let's do the math:

  23437
+  6547
-------
  29984

So, the sum of 23,437 and 6,547 is 29,984. Keep this number handy, we'll need it for the next step!

Step 2: Set Up the Equation

Now that we've got the sum of those two numbers, it's time to set up the equation. This is where we translate the words of the problem into a mathematical statement. Think of it like writing a sentence in math language. We know that we started with the number 'x', and then we subtracted the sum we just calculated (which is 29,984) from it. The problem tells us that after this subtraction, we ended up with 98,347. So, how do we write that as an equation? Well, we can write it like this: x - 29,984 = 98,347. See? We've taken all the information from the problem and turned it into a concise mathematical expression. 'x' represents our unknown number, the minus sign represents the subtraction, 29,984 is the sum we subtracted, the equals sign shows that the two sides are balanced, and 98,347 is the result we got after the subtraction. This equation is our roadmap for finding 'x'. It tells us exactly what operations are happening and how the numbers relate to each other. Setting up the equation correctly is super important because it's the foundation for solving the problem. If the equation is wrong, the answer will be wrong too. So, we've made sure to carefully translate the problem into this equation, and now we're ready to move on to the final step: solving for 'x'.

Step 3: Solve for x

Alright, we've reached the final stage! We have our equation: x - 29,984 = 98,347. Now, we need to solve for x. This means we want to get 'x' all by itself on one side of the equation so we can see what its value is. To do this, we need to undo the subtraction that's happening on the left side. Remember, in math, we can undo subtraction by doing the opposite operation, which is addition. So, we're going to add 29,984 to both sides of the equation. Why both sides? Because in an equation, the two sides are like a balanced scale. If we add something to one side, we need to add the same thing to the other side to keep it balanced. This is a fundamental principle in algebra. By adding 29,984 to both sides, we're effectively canceling out the subtraction on the left side, leaving 'x' by itself. And on the right side, we'll have a simple addition problem to solve. Once we do that addition, we'll have the value of 'x'. It's like peeling away the layers of an onion; we're isolating 'x' step by step until we reveal its true value. This process of isolating the variable is a key skill in algebra, and it's used to solve all sorts of equations. So, let's get adding and find out what 'x' is!

Here's how we do it:

x - 29,984 + 29,984 = 98,347 + 29,984 x = 98,347 + 29,984

Now, let's add 98,347 and 29,984:

  98347
+ 29984
-------
 128331

So, x = 128,331

Conclusion

Woohoo! We did it! We successfully solved for x, and we found that x is equal to 128,331. Give yourselves a pat on the back, guys! We tackled this problem step by step, and we showed how we can take a word problem, break it down into smaller parts, and use our math skills to find the solution. We started by understanding what the problem was asking, then we calculated the sum of 23,437 and 6,547. After that, we set up the equation x - 29,984 = 98,347, and finally, we solved for x by adding 29,984 to both sides of the equation. This whole process demonstrates the power of math in solving real-world problems. It's not just about numbers; it's about thinking logically and strategically. And remember, practice makes perfect! The more problems we solve, the better we'll become at understanding and applying these concepts. So, keep practicing, keep asking questions, and most importantly, keep having fun with math! You've got this!