Answer
$5x = 24 - x$
Work Step by Step
First identify the task. In this case, it is to express "Five times a number is equal to 24 decreased by the number" as an equation. We are told to assume the number is "x". A method to solving this problem is to divide the given statement into sub parts and then combine each of these parts into an equation.
"Fives times a number" can be expressed as "$5x$".
"Is equal to 24" reminds us to connect the two sides with an equals sign, "$=24$".
"decreased by the number" can be expressed as "$-x$".
By putting these together, the answer is $5x = 24 - x$.
