Let's say the number we are trying to find is x.
Step one: Set up an equation based on the information given.
3x + 7 = 38. This reflects the equation since 3 times the number is 3x and the sum of that and 7 can be represented by 3x + 7 = 38.
Step two: Simplify the equation and solve for x.
This is basic algebra. Subtract 7 from both sides to get: 3x = 31. Now, divide 3 from both sides to isolate x and its value: x = 31/3.
The answer is 31/3 or 10 1/3 ~ 10.3333.
