SOLUTION
Define a variable
[tex]\begin{gathered} \text{Let the population of Metsville be } \\ N \end{gathered}[/tex]Write out the parameter given
[tex]\begin{gathered} \text{The population of Eden is } \\ 9021 \end{gathered}[/tex]The population of Metsville is 1,274 people less than the population of Eden. can be written as
[tex]The\text{ population of Eden =The population of Metsville}+1274[/tex]The equation becomes
[tex]9021=M+1274[/tex]Then subtract 1274 from both sides of the equation
[tex]\begin{gathered} 9021=M+1274 \\ 9021-1274=M+1274-1274 \\ \text{Hence} \\ M=9021-1274 \\ M=7747 \end{gathered}[/tex]