Problems with linear equations

First we solve the equation: $$x-\dfrac{x}{2}=9 \Rightarrow \dfrac{2x-2}{2}=9 \Rightarrow \dfrac{x}{2}=9 \Rightarrow x=9\cdot2=18 $$

Then, the first statement is direct if it expresses the relation that the equation denotes with words:

If $9$ is subtracted from a number, its half is obtained: what is this number?

An alternative statement might be transforming the number into candies, so that:

How many candies does Irene have if, once she has eaten $9$, she still has half the candies she originally had?

The equation is also valid for this statement since $x-9$ is the amount of candies that she has after eating up $9$ and $\dfrac{x}{2}$ are those that she has left in the end.

Also, an age statement might be written:

How old is Peter if $9$ years ago he was half the age that he is now?

If $x$ is the current age, $x-9$ is the age $9$ years ago, and $\dfrac{x}{2}$ half of its current age, therefore the equation is valid and Peter is $18$ years old.