30 subtracted from four times a number is 3 more than the number. What is the number?

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Answer 1 · 2017-02-12T12:56:25

#4n - 30= 3 + color(red)(n)#

Let's break this down one expression at a time. First, the word "is" means "equal to" or "=". Therefore:

"30 subtracted from four times a number" = "3 more than the number"

Next, let's name the variable or "a number" or "the number". Let's call "the number" #color(red)(n)#

"30 subtracted from four times #color(red)(n)#" = "3 more than #color(red)(n)#"

Then the right side of the equation can be completed. "3 more than" means to "add 3" giving:

"30 subtracted from four times #color(red)(n)#" #= 3 + color(red)(n)#

Next, "four times" means to "multiply" or "times" by "4" giving:

"30 subtracted from" #4 xx color(red)(n)# #= 3 + color(red)(n)#

Now, "30 subtracted from" this result means we need to subtract "30" from the expression giving:

#(4 xx color(red)(n)) - 30= 3 + color(red)(n)#

Or

#4n - 30= 3 + color(red)(n)#