17 is less than twice a number

Question

Word sentence into equation

Answer 1

17 < 2n

2n is the same as 2 times a number. Since that number is unknown, that makes it a variable, which in this case I call 'n.'

Answer 2

You are  asked to write an equation.  As you know, this means that both sides of the expression are equal.

 

There are two variables, "a number";  Let's call it "x".  An let's call "Y" the amount by which 17 is less than 2X.

 

So what is X? 

Or, more to the point, put the sentence directly into an equation: (2X)-y=17