The number three (3) when decreased by fifteen (15) is four (4) times its opposite.
In this exercise, you're required to solve for an unknown number by using a variable to represent the number in relation to the known variables (constants) and representing it as an algebraic expression.
Translating the word problem into an algebraic expression, we have;
[tex]x \; - 15 = -4x[/tex]
Rearranging the algebraic expression by (collecting like terms), we have;
[tex]x \; + \;4x = 15\\\\5x = 15[/tex]
Dividing both sides by 5, we have;
[tex]x = \frac{15}{5}[/tex]
x = 3
Therefore, number three (3) when decreased by fifteen (15) is four (4) times its opposite.
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