Twice the sum of a number and four is 23 less than three times the number

Question

 I am struggling very Hefley with this word problem word problems are not my strong suit and I can't resolve them that easily 

Answer 1

Try breaking these into sections.

 

Twice: 2 times

 

The sum of: add

 

A number: choose a variable, like x

 

---Thus "the sum of a number and 4" becomes "add x and 4" which, mathematically, is "x+4"

 

-----Continuing to put it all together, "Twice the sum of a number and four" becomes "2 times (x+4)" which, mathematically, is "2(x+4)"

 

Is: equals

 

-------"Twice the sum of a number and four is" becomes "2(x+4)="

 

23 less than: subtract 23.  This one tends to trick people; "23 less than" will become "__ - 23", NOT "23 - __"

 

three times the number:  3 times x

 

---"23 less than three times the number" becomes "subtract 23 from 3 times x" which, mathematically, is "3x-23"

 

-------So the final phrase: 2(x+4)=3x-23"