Twenty more than four times a number

Question

Twenty more than four times a number is equal to the difference between 2 and twice the number. Find the number

Answer 1

Let x represent the number

Let 4x represent four times a number

Let 2x represent twice a number

To represent the difference between 2 and twice the number, we will use subtraction:

2-2x.

4x + 20 = 2 - 2x

add 2x to both sides.

6x + 20 = 2

subtract 20 from both sides.

6x = -18

divide by 6. x = -3