$\"\"$

Sentence: Negative $\"\"$ is nine times a number.

Write an equation.

Let the number be $\"\"$ .

Negative $\"\"$ equal nine times a number.

$\"\"$

The equation is $\"\"$ .

$\"\"$

Find the number.

$\"\"$ (Original equation)

$\"\"$ (Divide each side by $\"\"$ )

$\"\"$ (Cancel common terms)

Therefore, the number $\"\"$ is $\"\"$ .

$\"\"$

The number $\"\"$ is $\"\"$ .