High School

Select the equation and solution for this situation:

"15 less than a number is 22."

A. [tex]x - 15 = 22[/tex], [tex]x = 37[/tex]
B. [tex]22 - 15 = x[/tex], [tex]x = 7[/tex]
C. [tex]x - 15 = 22[/tex], [tex]x = 7[/tex]
D. [tex]x + 15 = 22[/tex], [tex]x = 37[/tex]

Answer :

We start by letting the number be represented by [tex]$x$[/tex]. The phrase “15 less than a number” means that we subtract [tex]$15$[/tex] from [tex]$x$[/tex], giving the expression [tex]$x - 15$[/tex]. The statement “is 22” tells us that:

[tex]$$
x - 15 = 22
$$[/tex]

Next, we solve this equation by isolating [tex]$x$[/tex]. To do that, we add [tex]$15$[/tex] to both sides:

[tex]$$
\begin{aligned}
x - 15 + 15 &= 22 + 15 \\
x &= 37
\end{aligned}
$$[/tex]

Thus, the number [tex]$x$[/tex] is [tex]$37$[/tex]. The equation and solution that match this situation are:

[tex]$$
x - 15 = 22 \quad \text{and} \quad x = 37
$$[/tex]

This corresponds to Option A.