Answer:
the number is 8/3 (= 2 2/3)
Step-by-step explanation:
let the number be x
"3 times a number" --> 3x
"one less than 3 times a number" --> (3x - 1)
"one less than 3 times a number is 7" --> (3x - 1) = 7 (solve for x)
3x - 1 = 7 (add 1 to both sides)
3x = 7 + 1
3x = 8 (divide both sides by 3)
x = 8/3