Write an equation to show this

Question

I think of a number

I multiply it by 3

then take away 4

the answer is 17

use n for the number

Answer 1

I think of a number:

We're just gonna use n here. No problem.

 

I multiply it by 3:

So n * 3.

 

then take away 4:

We take the last step and just subtract 4 from it. Now we have (n * 3) - 4

 

the answer is 17:

So the whole thing now equals 17. (n * 3) - 4 = 17

 

To take that a step farther and solve for n:

1. (n * 3) - 4 = 17
2. n * 3 = 21
3. n = 7

You can check by plugging it back in and you'll find that (7 * 3) - 4 = 17