To solve this problem, you can set up an equation: x - 7 ≤ 13. The word 'is' in the question indicates an equality or inequality. When you subtract 7 from a number, it means you are decreasing the number by 7. To isolate the variable x, solve the inequality: x ≤ 20. This means that any number less than or equal to 20 when decreased by 7 will be at most 13.
The mathematical representation of the statement 'a number decreased by 7 is at most 13' is x − 7 ≤ 13 . When solving this inequality, we determine that x ≤ 20 , meaning any number less than or equal to 20 meets the original condition. For example, if we take x = 20 , the result is exactly 13, which is the maximum acceptable value.
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